Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
January 21, 2020 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa was sworn in yesterday by President Duterte in Batangas, the province worst affected by Taal Volcano’s continuing unrest. ?
Residents displaced by the volcanic eruption witnessed the oath taking, which was held at a gymnasium in Sto. Tomas City. ?The President also conferred the four-star rank on Gamboa before posing for photos with the police chief and his family.
Gamboa, who was appointed by President Duterte as the 23rd PNP chief last Friday, vowed to press forward in the campaign against illegal drugs and weeding out scalawags from the organization.
He promised to focus on high-value targets, such as large-scale drug traffickers.
Since Gamboa will turn 56 – the mandatory retirement age for the uniformed service – on Sept. 2, he will serve as PNP chief for only eight months. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986.
Prior to his appointment, Gamboa was the PNP’s officer-in-charge for three months after his classmate, former police chief Oscar Albayalde, went on non-duty leave amid allegations of protecting “ninja cops” or police officers who recycle seized prohibited narcotics.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said honesty was Duterte’s consideration in choosing Gamboa as PNP chief.
Also present during the oath taking were Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Sen. Christopher Go.
A ceremonial giving of government assistance to families affected by the volcanic eruption immediately followed. – With Emmanuel Tupas
