President Rodrigo R. Duterte today formally installed Police Director Oscar David Albayalde as the 22nd Chief of the 190,000-strong Philippine National Police.
Erstwhile PNP Chief, Director General Ronald M Dela Rosa relinquished command of the PNP to Albayalde during traditional change of command and full-dress parade and review ceremonies in Camp Crame.
Before assuming the top PNP post, Albayalde, served with distinction as Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office where he initiated aggressive police operations against criminality and illegal drugs since July 2016.
Upon his assumption as Chief PNP, Albayalde made known his flagship program of organizational discipline and internal cleansing to gain the trust and respect of the people.
He said the thrusts of the PNP under his watch shall be the scaled-up thrusts of the NCRPO, focusing on discipline, reform, internal cleansing, intensified campaign against criminality and illegal drugs, crime prevention and suppression; and strengthened public engagement.
To dramatize his internal reform agenda, he said “we shall impose and breathe discipline 24/7and implement reforms in all levels on the PNP.”
As an initial step to instill discipline among PNP members, He ordered all police recruits and newly commissioned police officers to under rigid mandatory training with the PNP Special Action Force before they are deployed to different units.
“Ipapatupad natin ang mga pagsasanay na tututok sa paghubog ng disiplina sa bawat pulis,” he said in his inaugural address.
Citing the gains of the national anti-illegal drugs campaign launched by the PNP under his predecessor, Albayalde vowed to “carry on the programs of the previous PNP leadership particularly Oplan Double Barrel, because continuity is important to maintain the momentum of our accomplishments and gains.”
Albayalde has served a well-rounded career since graduating with honors from the Philippine Military Academy as a member of the illustrious “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.
As a Junior and Field Grade Officer, he saw action in various field assignments with different line units engaged in the counter-insurgency and anti-criminality campaign.
Alternating between command, staff and training assignments, he completed rigid foundation courses in VIP Security, Scout Ranger Orientation, Marine Basic Airborne, Close Quarter Battle, Jumpmaster training, and Crisis Response.
The new Chief PNP obtained a Post Graduate degree from the Manuel L Quezon University in Manila in 1996, he is an alumnus of the Jose Abad Santos High School and San Fernando Elementary School in his hometown of San Fernando, Pampanga.
His marriage with wife Cherrylyn is blessed with four children, two of whom are twins.
He will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 years old in November 8, 2019.
