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Cascolan is PNP-OIC

Camilo Pancratius P. Cascola

LIEUTENANT General Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan has been designated by President Duterte as Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine National Police with the retirement today of Gen. Archie Francisco F. Gamboa.

Cascolan, a classmate of Gen. Gamboa from Philippine Military Academy ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986, is currently the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration and concurrent commander of the Administrative Support for COVID-19 Task Force.

He is a known disciplinarian and operations and intelligence officer and is largely credited as the “architect” of the highly-successful Oplan: Double Barrel of the PNP or the national police’s campaign against illegal drug trafficking and abuse since the start of the Duterte administration in July 2016.

“The Philippine National Police will rally behind the leadership of Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius P Cascolan who takes command of the 209,000-strong PNP as Officer-in-Charge upon the retirement of PNP Chief, Police General Archie Francisco F Gamboa tomorrow September 2,” said PNP spokesman Brigadier Gen. Bernard M. Banac in a late afternoon statement.

“The PNP Officer Corps and rank-and-file gladly welcome his designation as PNP-OIC to ensure continuity of command in the supervision of all administrative and operational execution of the PNP mission as the weight of responsibility of the PNP increases due to the pandemic and the threat of terrorism.

“Refueling our energies and strengths in this time of health crisis is what we need in order to provide the best public service to our people,” Banac said.

Cascolan will however retire this coming November 11.

“The momentum has been established for the next leader to push steadily forward towards a more productive and effective police service, and with the capabilities and expertise of General Cascolan, the PNP will surely continue to excel in preserving peace and order and security, especially in critical issues of illegal drugs, crime, terrorism and corruption,” Banac said.

According to Banac, “Lt. Gen. Cascolan brings with him the occupational specialty in command and control, honed by vast experience in field operations and strategic management.”

The law says that the President, as the Commander-in-Chief shall appoint the PNP chief from among a list prepared by the Napolcom of “the most senior and qualified officers in the service” given that the prospect appointee has not yet retired or within six months from their compulsory retirement age.

Since 1991, the PNP already has had the 23 PNP chiefs, the last of which is Gen. Gamboa. All PNP chiefs are products of PMA.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año did not recommend the extension of Gen. Gamboa’s term after September 2 and stressed that the if he were to decide, the next PNP chief must have a good career pattern with no pending case in court.