UPDATED - President Rodrigo Duterte has named National Capital Region Police Office chief Oscar Albayalde as the next head of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing incumbent Director General Ronald dela Rosa who will finally retire.
Duterte made the announcement in a speech delivered Thursday, April 5, at Palace's Rizal Hall.
"I told Crame, we have new Chief (PNP). I'm going to announce it now. It's Albayalde," the President said.
Albayalde, in an interview, said Thursday he was elated by the trust and confidence given to him by the President.
He thanked Dela Rosa for his support and for endorsing him as his successor.
"I would like to thank him sa kanyang suporta, hindi nya alam na malaking bagay 'yung pag-eendorse nya sa akin sa ating Presidente, so I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart at ibinigay din nya yung tiwala nya sa akin, so again, i will not betray his trust and confidence," Albayalde said.
(I would like to thank him for his support. His endorsement was a major boost for me so I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart for his trust and confidence in me.)
As of Thursday, however, Albayalde said he has yet to receive a formal order on his appointment.
Dela Rosa reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on January 21, 2018. A month before he could retire, however, his term of service was extended by the President to April 21.
Duterte said on February 20 that he would further extend the term of Dela Rosa "for a little bit longer."
But in his latest remark, the Commander-in-Chief said Albayalde is qualified as the next PNP chief because of his being "strict."
"He's so strict. That's Albayalde. Albayalde is the man for you. So the stricter, the better," he said.
Just like Dela Rosa, Albayalde belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986. Prior to becoming NCRPO chief, Albayalde served as deputy director of the NCRPO's Directorate for Plans.
Albayalde said he will continue to work to support Duterte's advocacy for change especially against illegal drugs.
"(My appointment) is very very much elating at thankful unang-unang sa Diyos, sa Presidente at kay chief PNP (Ronald dela Rosa) for giving trust and confidence in me,"he said.
(I am thankful to God, to the President and to chief PNP for their trust and confidence in me.)
"Rest assured that I will not betray their trust and confidence na ibinigay nila sa akin, yun ang maipapangako ko sa kanila (that I can promise them)," he added.
Albayalde is due to retire in November 2019. (VoxPop Philippines)
