Pagdilao admits he may not be 'the chosen one'

MANILA, Philippines - Although considered a strong contender as the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. admitted he might not be “the chosen one” since President Aquino has not met with him to discuss his chances as the next top cop.

Pagdilao said that by admitting he has never sat down with the President to discuss the retirement of PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo and the impending appointment of his replacement is an indication that he is out of contention.

“President Aquino has yet to call me up and meet him,” Pagdilao said in a radio interview.

Bacalzo yesterday said he would formally retire on Friday to allow the turnover of command at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Bacalzo will turn 56, the mandatory retirement age for police and military personnel, on Sept. 15.

“Definitely, I will be turning over the leadership of the PNP on Friday, six days before my birthday and I hope that soon the President will announce who will replace me,” he said.

President Aquino has refused to comment on the possible successor of Bacalzo but said he still has to talk to the incoming police chief.

“Wala namang (There is no) issue so far that I can see. But I would want to talk to the incoming one for the last time before I formally announce it,” Aquino said, indicating he had already met the next PNP chief.

The only reason for the delay in the announcement is that Bacalzo and the incoming PNP chief are still winding up their affairs, including the turnover rites.