PNP chief Gamboa needs to exercise 'decisiveness' before he retires next week —Hontiveros

In light of the fatal shooting and twin bombings in Jolo, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said she expects much from Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa before he retires next week.

In an interview on ANC, Hontiveros said Gamboa, his "mistah," should lead the PNP to be more proactive in investigating the allegation that some cops have conspired with the suicide bombers in Jolo because of blood relations.

Gamboa and Hontiveros' late husband, Francisco Baraquel Jr., are members of the  Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.

"This [is] again my call to the chief PNP, starting with the relief of the entire Jolo police force while investigations are underway. Kasi habang hindi sila suspendido, I mean, does it mean that these officers are still performing their functions or accessing intelligence materials deeply? [It's] concerning in terms of risk to our national security," Hontiveros said.

"I'm asking the Chief PNP, in his closing week of leadership, to lead the PNP with more decisiveness, because from the PNP at this time we need more accountability and justice," she added.

The senator pointed out that the four slain soldiers were after two suicide bombers when they were killed by police in Jolo on June 29.

On Monday, twin blasts happened in Jolo and the suspects were identified to be two female suicide bombers.

Hontiveros underscored Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command chief Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr.'s remark that blood ties could have caused the nine police officers in Jolo to conspire with the two suicide bombers being tracked by the military.

She reiterated her call for Gamboa to mete out preventive suspension for the cops involved in the Jolo shooting incident.

"Just in January this year, Chief PNP relieved three Central Visayas PNP officials for playing golf during official time though that is an infraction of the PNP's rules, di hamak naman na mas malubha 'yung mga kaso na inihahain o rekomendadong ihain ng NBI dito sa siyam doon sa pagpatay sa apat na army," Hontiveros said.

"If we link it to the bombing, then it becomes even more reasonable for the Chief PNP to take action," she added.

The police officers involved are under restrictive custody in Camp Crame but Gamboa said suspension for them has not been ordered yet because administrative complaints have to be filed first.

Gamboa took his oath of office in January. Before his appointment, he served as officer-in-charge for three months after retired general Oscar Albayalde quit from his post in October 2019 due to the ninja cops controversy.

The incumbent PNP chief will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on September 2.—AOL, GMA News