Gamboa 'personally prepared' for Duterte's pick for next PNP chief

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa said Tuesday he will respect the pending decision of President Rodrigo Duterte on who to appoint as the next PNP chief.

"I want to separate my being an officer-in-charge and my being a candidate for the chief PNP kasi baka hindi ako maka-focus, 'yun ang lagi ko isipin," Gamboa said in an interview on Unang Balita.

"Dito muna ako sa officer-in-charge and I know the President has enough time to choose kung sino 'yung susunod na magiging chief PNP and kung sinuman ang piliin niya, I am personally prepared for that decision," he added.

Gamboa, the deputy chief for administration, replaced Albayalde who relinquished his post ahead of his retirement on November 8.

According to PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, Gamboa is among those qualified to hold the top post based on position and seniority.

Gamboa will reach his retirement age on September 2020.

Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, and Manila Police District director Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr. are also qualified because of their ranks, Banac added.

Meanwhile, Gamboa vowed to continue the internal cleansing within the PNP while he serves as its officer-in-charge.

He also boosted the morale of the police officers amid the 'ninja cops' issue hounding their institution.

"Hindi ito pwedeng maging dahilan para huwag tayong magtrabaho. Ipakita natin sa publiko na maraming pulis na mababait and we will go after kayong mga pulis na masasama," he said. —Dona Magsino/KBK, GMA News