MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde will step down from his post ten days earlier before his supposed retirement on Nov. 8.
According to Albayalde, he will avail of early retirement as the change-of-command for PNP chief position to be presided by the President Rodrigo Duterte will happen on Oct. 29.
“I think okay na yun. Kasi kung matutuloy yun, the President prefers to have the turn-over before he leaves,” Albayalde said in an ambush interview in Camp Castañeda, Silang, Cavite on Friday.
The change-of-command for PNP chief position was rescheduled on an earlier date with President Duterte set to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
Albayalde will relinquish his post, but will still retain his rank until his retirement takes effect on Nov. 8.
“That’s why starting Oct. 30, I will be on vacation until his 56th birthday, Nov. 8,” added Albayalde.
The country’s top cop also said that those in the PNP “command group” could have the edge to be his successor, but Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has said that Albayalde’s possible successors include the PNP’s highest-ranking officers in Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, Lieutenant General Camilo Cascolan and Major General Guillermo Eleazar.
In 2018, Albayalde was not on the list of possible successors to former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, when Albayalde was chosen by Duterte.
Albayalde is being linked to a controversial Pampanga anti-narcotics operation, in which lawmen allegedly recycled drugs seized in the drug bust for profit. Albayalde was Pampanga police chief at the time./PN
