Duterte yet to find ‘honest’ man to lead PNP, threatens to take over

President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to choose the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), adding that the PNP had a lot to improve on.

And if he could not find the right person to lead the national police, Duterte said he might just do it on his own.

“Unless I think that I see the very best guy there, you show me. Kayong mga pulis, tell me who is the best... Just give me an honest man, period,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.

"Even a single case of corruption, wala ka na. I would rather not appoint anybody for that matter. Ako na ang hahawak. I will be the one directing," he added.

"Guidance and direction lang naman ako. But that is in the event I couldn’t find somebody I can trust," Duterte said.

Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde relinquished his post in October following the ninja cops and drug recycling controversy.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has already submitted to the President a shortlist of his recommendations for the post of the next PNP chief.

Año said he endorsed the names of Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar and Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa to Duterte last October 17.

Gamboa has since been serving as officer in charge of the PNP.

“There are so many things the police has to improve on,” Duterte said.

“For all of the Cabinet members including the military men who are about to enter the civilian... What is your marching order? Just be honest, that’s all,” he added. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News