Año: 3 to 5 contenders eyed for next PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines — A shortlist containing three to five candidates for the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief will be submitted to President Duterte this month, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday. 

During a meeting at Malacañang on Tuesday, Año said Duterte instructed him to prepare the list of possible contenders to succeed PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, who will retire from the police service next month.

 “Initially, napag-usapan na rin namin ‘yan. The President told me to submit a list of names for the next PNP chief para mabigyan siya ng enough time to choose,” Año said.

Año said he already has candidates in mind, but refused to disclose their names.

Sources said two of the possible contenders are the next in line in the PNP hierarchy: deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz and deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson.

Año said there are several competent police officials qualified to become the last PNP chief under the Duterte administration.

“At least three to five names para makapag-isip mabuti ang Pangulo kung sino ang pipiliin niya. Remember, ito na yung huling chief PNP who will be appointed during his term so kailangan talaga pag-isipang mabuti,” Año said.

He said he would make sure that seniority, merit and service reputation would be followed when Eleazar is replaced.

The Southern Mindanao regional peace and order council is endorsing Region 11 police director Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal for PNP chief.

The council said Escobal is qualified to replace Eleazar given his experience in peace and order.

Eleazar will bow out of the police service on Nov. 13 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Before being named as the country’s 26th PNP chief, Eleazar has held all three top posts in the police force: deputy chief for administration, deputy chief for operations and chief of the directorial staff. He also served as director of the National Capital Regional Police Office. – Edith Regalado