Philippine National Police denies infighting for No. 2 spot

The Philippine National Police (PNP) denied yesterday reports that there is any conflict between the two strongest contenders for the second highest position in the police force.

Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA), will retire on March 2 upon reaching the retirement age of 56.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said both PNP Deputy Chief for Operations (DCO) Deputy Director General Geary Barias, and Chief Directorial Staff Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano are qualified to take over Rafanan’s post.

“Let this selection be a healthy competition… I don’t see any conflict between the contenders. They just perform their jobs,” he said following reports that groups and individuals have aired their choice for the No. 2 spot.

Barias, the PNP’s No. 3 man, belongs to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’75 and was PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa’s closest rival for the PNP’s top post last year.

Soriano, who holds the PNP’s No. 4 spot, reportedly has a “good fighting chance” because he received his three-star rank ahead of Barias and was Verzosa’s classmate in PMA Class ’76.

Bartolome said the matter will be decided by the Senior Placement and Promotions Board (SOPPB).

Bartolome said the SOPPB will submit its recommendations to Verzosa, who will submit his own choice to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, the concurrent chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), which supervises the PNP.

He said the final decision will be made by President Arroyo based on the recommendations of the SOPPB, DILG and Napolcom.

Bartolome said PNP appointments are usually based on seniority in rank, though he added that even a one-star general “qualifies for the top position.”

But an officer told The STAR that although Soriano is considered senior in rank, Barias could still get the position because he is the next in line.

“If you can recall the case of two former PNP chiefs – Oscar Calderon and Avelino Razon Jr. – Razon got the first three stars ahead of Calderon but Calderon was appointed and even got the highest position,” the source said.

Calderon served as PNP chief for 18 months and was replaced by Razon. Razon was later replaced by Verzosa, who reportedly has Puno’s support.   – Cecille Suerte Felipe