Duterte could choose a one-star general as PNP chief – Bong Go

President Rodrigo Duterte could pick a Philippine National Police chief who was not a candidate recommended to him in Interior Secretary Eduardo Año's shortlist, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go said Monday.

“Naghahanap siya ng honest talaga. Ine-evaluate niya nang mabuti kung sino ang  pinakahonest at competent na hinahanap niya sa ngayon. Possible na lumabas dun sa tatlo, hindi po imposible ‘yun, pwedeng outside the three,” Go told reporters.

Last month, Año submitted the names of Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, and Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa as possible choices to be the next PNP chief. 

Go however revealed that Duterte was also looking at lower-ranking police officials.

“Si President has all the prerogative to choose among the one star generals po na nasa PNP. Ibig sabihin posibleng lumabas siya dyan sa tatlo na kanyang pipiliin,” said the senator.

He added that the President was having difficulty finding a particularly honest candidate in the police organization.

“Wala pa po siyang napipili, as of last night magka-usap kami. Wala pa po siya napipisil siguro talagang hirap na hirap ang Pangulo. Totoo ang sinabi ng Pangulo na naghahanap siya ng honest na magiging chief PNP dahil alam naman nya na naging problematic ang PNP,” he said.

“Hirap po si Pangulo, magagaling naman lahat ng kandidato and all are qualified naman pero hirap lang si Pangulo, ‘yung hinahanap n’ya na honest still searching pa po si Pangulong Duterte,” he added.

Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde resigned from his post weeks before his retirement on November 8 amid the "ninja cop" controversy.

In the meantime, Gamboa was designated as the PNP’s officer-in-charge. — DVM, GMA News