President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan as the new chief of the Philippine National Police, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed Tuesday.
Before assuming the new role, Cascolan served as the second-in-command of the PNP as deputy chief for administration.
He will only have a brief term as PNP chief as he is set to reach the mandatory age of 56 on November 10. However, it is within the President’s prerogative to extend Cascolan’s term.
Earlier in the day, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced in a televised briefing that Cascolan will be the officer-in-charge of the national police force once PNP Chief Archie Gamboa steps down.
“Meron na pong pangalan na initially binigay pero I was given instruction i-hold muna po ang pag-announce,” he said.
Cascolan also served as OIC for a short period of time in March when Gamboa figured in a helicopter crash in Laguna.
Prior to Cascolan’s appointment as the new PNP chief, the national police force had already issued a statement welcoming him as their new chief.
“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,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said in a statement.
“Police Lieutenant General Cascolan brings with him the occupational specialty in command and control, honed by vast experience in field operations and strategic management,” Banac added.
“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,” he said.
Cascolan, together with Gamboa, are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986. RJ Espartinez