Arroyo names distant relative as new national police chief

The race for the top police post ended Tuesday when Malacañang named police Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon, said to be a distant relative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as the next Philippine National Police chief. Aside from this, the new PNP chief is also the elder brother of Commodore Leonardo Calderon, chief of the powerful Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Calderon, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1973, will formally assume his post when outgoing PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao turns 56 on Wednesday, July 5. The announcement belied speculations that President Arroyo planned to extend Lomibao's term until after she delivers her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24. Asked to comment about reports he was a relative of Mrs. Arroyo, Calderon admitted in a radio interview that he is a "distant relative" but added that talks that he got the post because of his relations with the President were "unfair," saying he would like to believe he was named as police chief because of merit. Presidential Spokesman and concurrent Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye likewise shrugged off insinuations that Calderon's relationship with the President had anything to do with his appoinment. "First of all is he (Calderon) is very qualified...even the outgoing PNP chief has expressed appreciation over his designation," Bunye said. "In other words, he's held in high regard by his peers and he's very qualified." In another interview aired on DZBB radio, Calderon also asked the public to help him clean the PNP's image by whipping the police into shape. He said that in reshuffling his officials, he will "look for the right man for the right job," though he said he has no immediate plans to institute a reshuffle at Camp Crame. Also, he appealed to the public and the media to help him clean up the PNP's tattered image. Calderon said his top priority as PNP chief is to ensure public safety, "equal protection of human rights," and to address extra-judicial killings. While he promised success in the fight against illegal gambling, he admitted needing the help of the community. Calderon admitted feeling relieved when he was named PNP chief, saying he was on pins and needles while the "race" for the top post in the PNP was still on. He also said he has at least 15 months to implement his programs for the PNP, as he is not due to retire until October 1, 2007. Before his appointment as the new PNP chief, the 54-year-old Calderon headed the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) unit, which handles kidnap-for-ransom and other high-profile crimes. He was also the PNP deputy chief for administration, the second top post in the police agency. Other past assignments included stints with the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS) of what was then the Philippine Constabulary. Calderon also served as regional director of the Southern Tagalog police, which comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. Too, he has worked as head of the PNP Directorate for Comptrol­lership, deputy director of the PNP Directorate for Investigative and Detective Management, and director of the Central Luzon Police Office and the Laguna Provincial Police Office. Calderon hails from Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. He has received 41 medals and commendations from the military and police, including the PNP Senior Officer of the Year Award in 1992, and the Bronze Cross, for the successful rescue in 1985 of a young kidnap victim in Cebu. He served a key role in the arrest of former Quezon City Rep. Dennis Roldan, who has been charged with kidnapping of a Chinese-Filipino toddler. For 10 years beginning 1973, he saw action in government's campaign against secessionists in South Cotabato, Zamboanga City, Maguindanao, General Santos City and later served as Davao City Metro District commander.--GMANews.TV