Año: New PNP chief named this week

MANILA, Philippines — The new head of the Philippine National Police will be announced this week ahead of PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa’s retirement, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday.

“There’s no information on who will be replacing Gamboa. But maybe it will be announced tomorrow (Monday) or Tuesday,” Año told reporters.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the retirement honors and change of command ceremony for Gamboa have been set.

Gamboa is scheduled to retire from the police service when he turns 56 during his birthday on Sept. 2.

Banac said it is also possible that Gamboa would stay in his post, citing former PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa whose term was extended for three more months upon President Duterte’s orders.

“It’s a possibility. The President may extend the PNP chief’s term because of the pandemic we are facing. It’s really up to the President,” Banac said in a radio interview.

Año said he had endorsed three police officials to replace Gamboa. He declined to name them.

Gamboa was appointed officer-in-charge of the police organization in October last year after then PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde stepped down amid his alleged involvement in the drug trade.

Gamboa officially assumed the PNP post in January or about eight months before he reaches the mandatory retirement age in the police service.