President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by outgoing AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., and newly appointed AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri review the Honor Guards during the Testimonial Honors and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Change of Command Ceremony at the Tejeros Hall of the AFP Commissioned Officer’s Club (AFPCOC), Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday (July 10, 2015). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos Jr. feels relieved that President Benigno Aquino III has appointed a new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Marcos expressed belief that Director Ricardo Marquez was competent and trustworthy of leading the PNP’s 155,000-strong force.
“Palagay ko may kakayahan siya. Meron siyang karanasan at malaki ang tiwala natin na siya ay magbibigay ng direksyon ulit sa ating kapulisan,” (I believe he is capable. He has experience and I trust that he can give direction to the police force) Marcos said.
The senator said he knew the two-star general because he was a director of the Ilocos Region.
“Itong si Police Director Ricardo Marquez ay kilala namin dahil nag-admin ito sa Region I. Palagay ko gagawin niya nang mabuti ang katungkulan bilang PNP Chief,” (I know Police Director Ricardo Marquez because he administered Region I. I think he will do well as PNP Chief.)
Marcos had pushed for the appointment of a new chief following the resignation of Director General Alan Purisima over the botched counter-terrorist operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in January.
Marcos said that with Marquez’s appointment, the PNP can now prepare for the 2016 elections.
“Pagka-nagkakaroon ng election hotspot, siyempre ang pinupuntahan, inaasahan na mag-aayos ng problema sa peace and order ay yung mga pulis natin,” (Whenever there is an election hotspot, we depend on our police officers to maintain the peace and order.)
“Hindi sila dapat pagdudahan na hindi objective o hindi fair. Kaya nilang gawin yun basta’t matibay ang liderato ng PNP kaya’t importanteng-importante nagkaroon na tayo ng permanent PNP Chief,” the senator further said.
(Whenever there is an election hotspot, we depend on our police officers to maintain the peace and order. They should not be accused of being partial or unfair. They can stop this practice if the PNP leadership is strong, thus there is a need for a permanent PNP chief.)
Before being appointed as the new PNP chief, Marquez was head of the Directorate for Operations. He beat four other contenders to the position.
He is set to retire from service on August 26, 2016. (MNS)