The PNP organization is in disarray and low of morale. With the looming change in leadership, President Duterte is in a quandary– should he choose loyalty over performance? Among the three names mentioned by Senator Bong Go as leading contenders to replace the beleaguered PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, it is only NCRPO chief and now Chief of the Directorial Staff Guillermo Eleasar who has the reputation of being a no nonsense guy, who does not have any qualms of firing erring cops and is highly beloved and respected by his peers and by the public. What the PNP needs right now is recovery from the Ninja cops controversy and implement internal cleansing–the main issue that now is bedevilling Albayalde. The public does not know the other two contenders. Their only record is that they served Duterte during the time when he was Davao mayor, and nothing more. Worse, they also belong to the same class which Albayalde owes allegiance to, attracting more negative attention to the organization, with most speculating that it is the same policies only a different guy leading the very same perceived vile leadership. Perceived, let me point that out.

Ricky Rivera

With the expected early retirement of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde by October 28, and not November 8 which was earlier announced since it falls on Albayalde’s birthday, the rumour mill has begun grinding once more. Senator Bong Go, the most trusted of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and reputedly still the man responsible for choosing the next PNP chief, says there are only three men in the running for the police force’s top plum: Police Lieutenant Generals Francisco Archie Gamboa, Camilo Pancratius Cascolan and Police major General Guillermo Eleazar.

Gamboa and Cascolan are members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1986, the same one which Albayalde belongs to while Eleazar is their underclass, 1987. Gamboa and Cascolan are reportedly close to President Duterte. Among the three, Eleazar seemed the most popular, visible and enjoys huge popular support due to his stint as chief of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Go hinted that the one whom the President wants to become chief is the one who will not hesitate to lead the cleansing of the PNP organization. With the recent exposition on the existence of ninja cops, the PNP needs a drastic, dramatic and thorough re-organization and streamlining.

A few days, the PNP just did that–with Eleasar transferred to the fourth highest post as Chief of the PNP Directorial Staff replacing Cascolan while Gamboa still sits as number 3 in the police totem pole.

Sources within the PNP organization says that Gamboa and Cascolan enjoy distinct advantages being close to Duterte whom they served in various capabilities years ago. Eleazar is evidently out of Duterte’s circle although in terms of performance, the NCRPO chief has cemented a strong reputation as a no nonsense guy, a stickler to the law and rules, and remains a highly principled officer and gentleman.

If Duterte thinks he needs loyalty more than the perception of excellent performance, then, it’s a toss up between Cascolan and another one, a dark horse by the name of One-star general Vicente Danao Jr, who heads the Manila Police District. Danao Jr. served Duterte for many years when the president was still mayor of Davao.

What the PNP needs right now is recovery from the Ninja cops controversy and implement internal cleansing–the main issue that now is bedevilling Albayalde. The organization needs a leader who will lead the charge. And these things cannot be accomplished without the huge support of the public.

The public does not know the other two contenders. Their only record is that they served Duterte during the time when he was Davao mayor, and nothing more. Worse, they also belong to the same class which Albayalde owes allegiance to, attracting more negative attention to the organization, with most speculating that it is the same policies only a different guy leading the very same perceived vile leadership. Perceived, let me point that out.