Lawmaker: Require lifestyle checks for officers pursuing PNP top post

MANILA—A lawmaker on Tuesday said officers who want to become the Philippine National Police chief must undergo a lifestyle check.

In a press conference, ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap said this will assure that the police official's record will be clean.

"Ang suggestion ko naman, dahil nga sa nangyari kay Gen. (Oscar) Albayalde, sana 'yung ibibigay na tatlong general, 'yung ire-recommend nila, samahan na nila ng record, simula nu'ng nagsimula sila sa PNP," Yap said.

Albayalde was tagged in an anomalous anti-narcotics operation in 2013 where lawmen allegedly recycled seized illegal drugs for profit in Pampanga, where Albayalde was the police chief at the time.

He will retire from the force on Nov. 8, but he faces allegations that he tolerated his men who resold seized illegal drugs. Sen. Richard Gordon, who is leading an inquiry into the alleged racket, had said there was "enough" evidence against Albayalde.

"Pag-aralan na natin," Yap said of his proposal.

"Patatagalin natin, magre-retire, magkakaron ng exposé sakto tinamaan siya. Bakit natin hayaan magsilbi 'yung tao nang ganu'n katagal tapos later, makikita natin 'yung isyung ganu'n? Tatamaan na naman 'yung image ng PNP."

Among the candidates for the national-force top post are PNP directorial staff chief Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for operations Camilo Cascolan, and PNP officer-in-charge Archie Gamboa. —Report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News