New NCRPO chief to be named after SONA –Marquez

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will have to wait a little longer for the naming of its new commander.

Newly-installed Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said Wednesday that the post vacated by retired Director Carmelo Valmoria will be filled after the President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

“Changes sa NCRPO will be effected after the SONA," Marquez said in his first press conference as PNP chief. "It will not be operationally sound to pluck out somebody on the ground na a few days from now is going to provide security and peace and order operations relative to the last SONA of the President."

“We will make the announcement on Monday who is going to be the regional director and other vacancies in the NCRPO,” Marquez added.

The SONA is usually marked by massive protest rallies by militant organizations, mostly in areas near the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

Marquez said the director of Quezon City Police District will be the ground commander during the SONA.

“Malalawak ang karanasan ng commanders na naka-deploy, naniniwala ako na magiging smooth ang operations,” he said.

Valmoria retired on July 15. —  KBK, GMA News