DILG to cops: Respect revamp within PNP

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday encouraged all police officials to respect the revamp in the Philippine National Police (PNP) as it has full authority from President Rodrigo Duterte as well as Secretary Eduardo Año.

"The current revamp in the Philippine National Police has the full authority coming from Secretary Eduardo Año as head of the DILG, the National Police Commission and the President himself," DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said during a press conference.

"Therefore we urge all officials of the Philippine National Police to support the restructuring or reshuffling which was implemented by the OIC of the Philippine National Police, Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa... We urge the entire PNP organization to support the programs of the officer-in-charge," Malaya added.

Malaya underscored that the revamp was important to "regain the trust and confidence of the Filipino people and the President and for the entire organization."

The DILG official bared that the agency had received questions on whether Gamboa was authorized to implement the major shake-up within the police organization. He, however, did not identify who were those who asked about Gamboa's authority to conduct a revamp.

"May mga nangyari na nu'ng nakaraan na OIC lang so 'di makagalaw. So binigyan nila ng full authority 'yung OIC. May narinig lang kami kung saan-saan," Malaya said.

"There were just some questions na bakit daw OIC lang eh nakapag-reshuffle ng mabigat. Meron siyang full authority from the NAPOLCOM. Nakausap ko si Vice Chairman Casurao, nakausap ko rin si Secretary Año tungkol diyan so he has full authority," he added.

Gamboa has ordered a major revamp in the police organization following President Rodrigo Duterte’s dismay at the supposed involvement of police officials in the alleged drug recycling scheme.

The movements involve two police major generals, 17 police brigadier generals and two police colonels.

Gamboa said he is expecting "fresh ideas, fresh enthusiasm and fresh resolve" from commanders following the latest major shakeup within the police organization. 

The PNP revamp had the blessing of Duterte, Malacañang said Monday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President agreed with the revamp that was implemented by Gamboa. —KG, GMA News