PRRD to appoint Gamboa as PNP chief

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 17 -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Friday evening that he is going to appoint Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"We have the PNP chief (here). I'm going to appoint you as the regular PNP (chief) but you and (Interior) Secretary (Eduardo) Ano and I will have a long, long talk first," Duterte said during the Thanksgiving Gathering of Fraternal Orders of Eagles here.

Gamboa was appointed last year as PNP officer-in-charge, replacing former PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

The President said he saw Gamboa's sincerity in his stint as acting PNP chief.

"I want you to leave something that you will be remembered by the country," Duterte said.

Gamboa is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986. A native of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, he has been assigned in various capacities in the Davao region.

The pronouncement for his impending appointment was immediately welcomed by the PNP and Ano.

"The PNP welcomes the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to appoint PNP OIC, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa as the regular PNP chief," PNP spokesperson, Brig. Bernard Banac said. "Under the able leadership of Lt. Gen. Gamboa, we assure the public that the PNP remains committed to intensify the campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, and corruption, following the rule of law and with utmost respect for human rights, and vigorously pursue internal cleansing to weed the ranks of rogue cops, all towards winning back the trust and confidence of the people."

Ano, meanwhile, described Gamboa as "very qualified for the job."

"I expect that he will work harder now that he is the permanent Chief PNP and lead the organization in its intensified fight against illegal drugs, criminalities, communist terrorist groups, and extremists," he said. "I also expect that he would continue to cleanse the PNP ranks of scalawags. And I enjoin the whole police force to rally behind Lt. Gen. Gamboa, enforce the law without fear or favor and protect the people." (PNA)