Duterte names Gamboa as new PNP chief: Año

January 17, 2020

After three months of vacancy, the Philippine National Police has a new leader after President Rodrigo Duterte appointed the officer-in-charge, Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa as the new PNP chief.

This was confirmed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to The Daily Manila Shimbun on Friday night.

“Yes!” Año said in a Viber message, when asked if Duterte named Gamboa PNP chief.

It was reported that Duterte appointed Gamboa today, Friday and Año said he welcomed the designation.

“He is 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,” the secretary said in a statement.

“I also expect that he would continue to cleanse the PNP ranks of scalawags. And I enjoined the whole police force to rally behind PLtGen. Gamboa, enforce the law without fear or favor and protect the people,” he added.

In a separate statement, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the PNP welcomes the pronouncement of the president.

“Under the able leadership of PLtGen 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,” said the PNP spokesman.

He said Gamboa will vigorously pursue internal cleansing to weed out rogue cops  and  regain ''trust and confidence of the people.”

A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986, Gamboa is scheduled to retire by September.

The new chief is also known as a “Davao cop” after he served as spokesperson for Davao Region Police Office from December 1997 to September 2002.

He was the deputy chief for administration before being designated OIC after then PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde went on non-duty status on October 14 a few weeks ahead of his scheduled retirement.

Gamboa is the 23rd PNP chief , replacing Albayalde who is facing controversy over alleged “ninja cops” who conducted anomalous drug raid in Pampanga last 2013. Ella Dionisio/DMS