President Rodrigo Duterte said the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief should be able to kill drug lords.
In a television interview aired yesterday, Duterte reiterated that he was carefully weighing his choice for the top PNP post.
“I mean, they’re all good, but I want a better deal. It’s not enough that you recommend to me,” he said.
“If he said, ‘If you choose me, I will kill all drug lords,’ okay, it’s you. If you cannot give me that guarantee, then no way,” he added.
Duterte admitted that he was having difficulty selecting the right man to lead the police force.
“No one yet. I’m having difficulty with the police. I love my policemen, but I have a hard time with the officials,” he said.
Last week, the president raised the possibility of leading the PNP himself if he cannot find an honest police chief.
“If they have even a single case of corruption, you’re out,” Duterte said.
“I would rather not appoint anybody for that matter. I will handle it. I will be the one directing…guidance and direction. I will only be there for guidance and direction,” he added. The last PNP chief, Oscar Albayalde, retired from police service early November amid accusations that he was involved in the so-called “ninja cops” issue.
He and 13 other police officers are facing charges of graft, qualified bribery, falsification of public documents, dereliction of duty and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in connection with the alleged questionable anti-drug raid in 2013.
The former PNP chief had denied the allegation and claimed that some retired generals were conspiring against him.
The police force is being led by acting chief Gen. Archie Gamboa, one of the top candidates for the PNP top post.
The other contenders for the post are Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, deputy chief for operations and Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, former Metro Manila police director who now heads the directorial staff.
Duterte: campaign against drug lords
