DAVAO CITY, Philippines —President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday announced that Police Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa will be the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief after serving as the police organization’s officer-in-charge for three months.

President Duterte named Gamboa as the new PNP chief as he graced the thanksgiving gathering for the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Davao City.

“We have the PNP Chief — I’m going to appoint you as the regular PNP chief,” the President said of Gamboa in announcing the appointment. “Ipinakita mo sa akin ‘yung sincerity mo, and I want you to leave something that you will be remembered by the country.”

The President previously assigned Gamboa as the PNP officer-in-charge after former police chief Oscar Albayalde resigned from his post in October 2019, weeks before his retirement.

Before his appointment as officer-in-charge of the PNP, Gamboa served as deputy chief for administration — the second-highest post in the police force.

Meanwhile, President Duterte acknowledged the role of the Fraternal Order of Eagles-Philippine Eagles in harnessing the strong bonds between its members in providing genuine and sincere humanitarian service to the Filipino people.

“Let me therefore take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the assistance that you have extended to our countrymen, especially during times of disasters and calamities,” President Duterte said during the organization’s thanksgiving gathering.

The group’s selflessness and unity inspired many Filipinos to also do their part in building the country, the Chief Executive said, as he appreciates the fraternity’s backing for supporting the campaign of the government to fight criminality, corruption and illegal drugs.

“I am hopeful that today’s gathering will foster greater unity and cooperation within the organization so it may remain resolute in ushering real and meaningful change in our society,” he said.

“May you be further moved to embody the values of bayanihan, social responsibility and equity,” he added.

The government will remain as the organization’s ally in the pursuit of its goals, especially in its advocacies that will help advance the people’s welfare and promote the common good, the President said in assuring the organization.

“Together, let us join hands in building a better, brighter and more prosperous future, not only for ourselves but also for the succeeding generations of Filipinos.”

The Fraternal Order of Eagles-Philippine Eagles was founded in 1979 in Quezon City to “establish a strong bond of brotherhood and fraternal ties among members as keystone to humanitarian service.” (PND/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)