By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/ Philippine News Agency
Five police officials are on the shortlist of candidates to be the country’s next top cop, Interior Sec. Eduardo Año said on Wednesday (Nov. 3) night.
“I already submitted to the President [Rodrigo Duterte] the list of five names recommended to replace [Philippine National Police or PNP chief] Gen. [Guillermo] Eleazar upon his retirement,” Año said in a message to the Philippine News Agency. He did not disclose the names of the officials.
He added that the list was forwarded to Duterte last Tuesday.
Año earlier said seniority, merit, and service reputation will be his basis in coming up with a shortlist of candidates.
Eleazar will bow out of the service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Nov. 13.
Before being named as the country’s 26th top cop, he held all three top posts of the police force — deputy chief for administration, deputy chief for operations, and chief of the directorial staff. He also served as director of the National Capital Region Police Office.
If the rule of succession is followed, among the possible contenders for PNP chief are Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, deputy chief for administration; Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, deputy chief for operations; and Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the directorial staff. (PNA) – jlo
