Outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa on Wednesday hinted getting offers from Malacañang for a government post after he retires from service, but added that he is not thinking about it for now. “Nagkausap-usap naman kami ng Gabinete ni Presidente (I’ve talked with some members of the President’s Cabinet)," he told GMA Network’s Unang Hirit when asked if he would accept any government post offered to him. “[Pero] sa ngayon ang iniisip ko muna ay magbakasyon (But for now I’m only thinking about taking a vacation)," he added. Verzosa is set to end his tour of duty on September 15, three months before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. Replacement Being considered to replace Verzosa are Deputy Director General Perfecto Palad, second in command in the PNP; Deputy Chief for Operations Raul Bacaldo, the third highest official; and Chief of Directorial Staff Benjamin Belarmino Jr., the fourth in command. “Lahat may kakayanan (They all have the capability to be the next PNP chief)," Verzosa said of his possible replacements. President Benigno Aquino III said he will name the next PNP chief on September 14, the eve of Verzosa’s scheduled retirement. (See Aquino: New PNP chief to be named on Sept.14) “Si [Aquino] ang bahala… it is provided by law at siya ang commander-in-chief namin (It’s up to Aquino … it is provided by law that he picks the next PNP chief since he is our commander-in-chief)," said Verzosa, adding that he would help in picking his replacement. By law, the PNP head is appointed by the President from among the senior officers down to the rank of chief superintendent in the police service. The President’s selection is subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
Hostage crisis Verzosa said his decision to retire three months ahead of his 56th birthday has nothing to do with the August 23 Manila hostage tragedy where eight tourists from Hong Kong were killed. The PNP has been criticized for its handling of the hostage crisis. “There were lapses, we know,
nakikita natin sa (we see this in the) ongoing investigation. And we are submitting ourselves to the investigation, whatever will be the result," he said. He said he and his batch mates in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1976 have decided to opt for their early retirement as early as July this year. “Last July
pa kami nag-decide
na magretiro ng maaga, nagkausap-usap kami (We agreed as early as last July to retire early, we’ve talked about this)," he said. (See
PNP chief Verzosa to retire early)
Controversies Verzosa, who's been in the service for over 30 years, was appointed PNP chief in 2008, replacing former Avelino Razon, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Aquino retained him when he took over the presidency last June 30. Among the controversies that have hounded the PNP during Verzosa’s stint were the “Euro generals scandal" where several police officers were caught in Russia with over P6 million in undeclared cash; the involvement of the police in the allegedly illegal arrest and detention of 43 health workers in Morong, Rizal on suspicion that they are communist supporters; and the torture, caught on video, of an alleged robbery suspect from Tondo inside a Manila precinct. Versoza, an Arroyo appointee but was retained by Aquino, said he tried to make the best out of these “unfortunate" events. “I have been through controversies before, napakaraming controversies. Pag meron nangyayaring ganyan na hindi maganda, unfortunate, tayo ay tingnan natin kung ano ang ating pagkakamali at baguhin natin. Dapat maging positibo," he said in the interview. (When something like that happens, something unfortunate, we must look at our own mistakes and rectify them. We should stay positive.)
- KBK/JV, GMANews.TV 
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