Cagayan Valley pols back Aglipay as PNP chief

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Despite their political affiliations, Cagayan Valley leaders have found a common ground in supporting Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, who hails from the region, as the next PNP chief.

Cagayan third district Rep. Manuel Mamba said it is high time that PNP officers like Aglipay, who is more than qualified, be given the chance to take over the helm of the PNP.

"It’s not only an honor and pride for every Cagayanon and every resident of the region to have Gen. Aglipay at the helm of the PNP. He is very qualified for the job. It’s high time for us to unite for his endorsement," said Mamba, provincial chairman of the Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats).

Setting aside their political differences, Mamba said his colleagues in the region are united in supporting Aglipay as the successor of PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane, whose retirement on Dec. 30 is reportedly being cut short for a possible appointment in the Arroyo Cabinet.

Aglipay, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1972, hails from the obscure municipality of Camalanuigan in Cagayan, which incidentally is also the hometown of the late former Philippine Constabulary general Prospero Olivas.

Former police director Thompson Lantion, also a native of the region, said the appointment of Aglipay, his former plebe at the PMA, as Ebdane’s replacement will be a fitting recognition of his outstanding track record as a police officer.

"He is a man with integrity. He has all the makings of a great PNP chief," said Lantion, Nueva Vizcaya chairman of the ruling Lakas-CMD.

Lantion, who held the PNP directorate for police-community relations before he retired in 2002, and Aglipay, former police director of the National Capital Region, were both assigned in Central Luzon at the height of the Mount Pinatubo crisis.

Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III (Lakas-NPC) also expressed his support for Aglipay. "Of course, we will support him. Aside from being a fellow resident of the region, Gen. Aglipay really deserves the position. He is fitted for the job," he said.

For his part, first-term Rep. Anthony Miranda (fourth district, Isabela), spokesman of the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), said they would strongly support Aglipay if President Arroyo would consider him as one of the nominees for the top PNP post.

"As far as the Kampi is concerned, Gen. Aglipay deserves to be appointed to the position. It will be a recognition of his outstanding record in the PNP," he said.

Governors Luisa Cuaresma (LDP-independent) and Pedro Bacani (Lakas-Liberal Party) of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, respectively, and other political leaders in the region have also expressed their support for Aglipay, the most senior among the contenders for the top PNP post.