PRESUMPTIVE President Rodrigo Duterte said late Sunday he plans to appoint as head of the military and the police two officials who are both products of the Philippine Military Academy.
“I’m considering General Visaya to be the chief of staff. He is a vibrant general,” Duterte told reporters at 11 p.m. Sunday in Davao City.
He was referring to Southern Luzon Command Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, a member of the PMA Class of 1983 and a native of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, some reports say Duterte is likely to appoint Chief Supt. Ronald Dela Rosa, a member of the PMA Class of 1986, to replace Philippine National Police Chief Ricardo Marquez, a member of the PMA Class of 1982 who will reach mandatory retirement this August.
A source from Duterte’s inner circle said Visaya and Dela Rosa will assume their new posts on June 30, when Duterte takes his oath of office.
“Yes, it’s Chief Supt. Dela Rosa sa PNP and Lieutenant General Visaya para naman sa AFP,” said the source who requested anonymity.
If Dela Rosa is appointed, it will be the first time in PNP history that a chief superintendent is elevated to director general, a four-star position in the military. He served as Davao City’s police chief under Duterte.
Just recently, Marquez sacked Dela Rosa when he threatened in his Facebook account to bring to justice any cheaters in the May 9 elections, saying the PNP was “apolitical.” Dela Rosa was then a brigade commander of a support unit based in Camp Crame in Quezon City for election duties. Florante S. Solmerin
The AFP is currently led by Acting Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda. Miranda and Visaya were classmates at the PMA. Miranda has been acting AFP chief since April 22 upon the retirement of former military chief Gen. Hernando Irriberi.
