Gamboa denies ‘bata-bata’ system

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa yesterday denied there is a “bata-bata” or patronage system in the PNP amid reports that he favored some officials during a recent massive revamp.

Gamboa said he did not favor anybody when he instituted a reshuffle, which affected at least 21 ranking police officials.

“Wala naman akong bata-bata. Ang indication lang dyan ay kalahati ng regional director napalitan at pati iyung mga classmates ko kasama,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Gamboa was referring to Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus and Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, his classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1986, who were yanked out as chiefs of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Police Regional Office 4A, respectively.

Corpus was transferred to the Directorate for Resource and Doctrine Development. Carranza was designated chief of the Logistics Support Service.

A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were eased out from what are perceived as juicy posts due to their close ties with former PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

Albayalde, also a member of PMA Class of 1986, stepped down from his post amid allegations that he coddled police officers involved in the recycling of drugs.

Gamboa challenged those who have been saying that there was favoritism in the reshuffle to prove their claim.

“I don’t know kung ano iyung sinasabi nilang favoritism or bata-bata. Lahat naman ng pulis bata ko,” he said.

The source said there were disgruntled police officials who felt they were removed from their posts in favor of other officers.

“Why would you conduct a revamp when everybody was performing well,” the source said.

Gamboa also appealed to reporters to refrain from asking him who would be the next PNP chief.

As a candidate himself, Gamboa said he does not want to be perceived as taking advantage of his post as officer-in-charge of the national police.

He said it is better to give President Duterte time to choose who will be the country’s next PNP chief.