ILOILO City – Who will be the next Philippine National Police (PNP) director general?
The prospect of having someone leading the PNP with Ilonggo connection has gotten Western Visayans excited.
President Rodrigo Duterte, however, recently admitted he was having a hard time choosing from three recommendees of Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año.
The three are the PNP officer-in-charge, Police Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa; Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, the PNP’s chief of the directorial staff; and Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, the PNP deputy chief for operations.
The Ilocano Cascolan’s wife is an Ilongga from Santa Barbara, Iloilo. He can speak Hiligaynon and Karay-a. Years back, he was assigned in Region 6.
During a visit here on Nov. 21, Cascolan declined to comment on his chances but made it clear he would be working hard just as he always had. He also said his track record would speak for itself.
“An honor” was how Cascolan described his being considered for the top PNP post.
“You know, the PNP chief post is a very challenging post. To have the four stars (Police General, the highest PNP rank) is a destiny. It is also earned through hard work,” Cascolan told journalists.
For over a month now, the President has been scouting for a replacement to PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde who stepped down on Oct. 14 some three weeks ahead of his retirement date, Nov. 8.
Cascolan and Gamboa were classmates of Albayalde at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). They belonged to the Sinagtala Class of 1986.
Gamboa will retire from the service on September 2020 while Cascolan on November 2020.
Eleazar, on the other hand, belonged to PMA Hinirang Class of 1987. He will retire on November 2021./PN
