Albayalde to continue Oplan Tokhang, internal PNP cleansing

April 5, 2018

National Capitol Region Police Director Oscar Albayalde, who will be the next chief of the Philippine National Police, said he will continue the government's war on illegal drugs and remove misfits from the ranks.

“We will continue what  we started in the war on illegal drugs ,” he told reporters in a phone patch interview with reporters Thursday shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte named him the incoming head of the 190,000 national police.

He said Oplan Tokhang, the government's anti-drug campaign where 1.3 million drug pushers and users have surrendered, will go on.

“It's very successful and we have this momentum and we will continue with the momentum” said Albayalde.

PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa was to retire in January from Duterte extended him.

Albayalde, who will retire on Nov. 8, 2019, said a program to make policemen more  disciplined will continue.

Albayalde had caught several officers sleeping while on duty during surprise inspections of police stations in Metro Manila.

Albayalde said he is overwhelmed with the trust and confidence Duterte gave him in leading police organization.

The PNP  welcomed Albayalde's appointment.  “The 190,000-strong PNP uniformed and non-unformed personnel will give its full support to his leadership,” said Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, the PNP spokesman, in a statement.

“His proven track-record of service assures us that the policies of the government relative to public order and safety shall be sustained,” he added. DMS