Matillano is next PNP Inspector General?

DAVAO CITY — Chief Superintendent Eduardo Matillano, the controversial police director of Southern Mindanao, is reportedly set to become the next Inspector General of the Philippine National Police (PNP), sources said.

Matillano, the sources said, will replace Alexis Canonizado as chief of the PNP internal affairs office.

Matillano’s promotion will reportedly take effect by the first week of February when PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza officially announces the reshuffling of senior police officers nationwide.

"There will definitely be changes by that time. That is why we are awaiting announcements of who else will be relieved and who will be assuming which posts. It will be on or before the PNP Day on Feb. 7," one of the sources said.

The Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board is now reportedly finalizing the new assignments.

Matillano became controversial when he figured in a heated spat with other top police officials like former PNP chief, now Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Matillano exposed the alleged wiretapping activities of Lacson and his men in the defunct Presidential Anti-Crime Commission, which was later replaced by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.