Ex-Ecija top cop a dark horse to replace Purisima -- sources

CABANATUAN CITY - A former provincial director of the Philippine National Police is also in the running as the possible successor of suspended PNP Chief Alan Purisima once the latter retires next year, highly placed sources said  yesterday.

          Police Director Ricardo Cornejo-Marquez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy's Class 1982, is a strong contender - a dark horse - to become the next PNP Chief.

          The source, who has strong connections at the Department of the Interior and Local Governments and the National Police commission, said that the 1982 batch has the inside track in the choice of the next PNP Chief.

          Marquez is currently with the PNP Directorate for Operations, considered as the busiest police unit at Camp Crame.  He is leading security preparations for the scheduled visit of Pope Francis this month and the forthcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this year.   

          Another strong contender is Criminal Investigation Group Chief, Director Benjamin Magalong, a "mistah"of Marquez, the source, who sought anonymity, said.

          Acting PNP Chief,  Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina is set to retire on July 19 this year, chief of the PNP's directorial staff and on February 1 of Deputy Director General Alexander Monteagudo, chief of the PNP's directorate for human resource and doctrine development.

          Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, chief of the PNP's directorial staff, is set to retire on March 2 next year.        

          "Right now, he (Marquez) is in the mix as a possible next PNP Chief. From a practical standpoint, if you are going to choose, you are going to pick out those born in 1960 so you will no longer have to choose another one after just a few months," added the source.

          Marquez was born on August 28,1960, a few months senior of Magalong  who was born December 15 of the same year. He served as provincial director in 2010. He was largely credited with the neutralization of criminal syndicates in the province during his stint .

          The province has produced at least two provincial directors who later went on to become PNP     chief, namely former general now Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., and former Philippine Retirement Authority chief Edgar Aglipay.

          Former PNP Chief, Oscar Calderon hails from the province but he never served as provincial director, but as regional director in Central Luzon.

          Under Republic Act 6975, any police official with star rank can be appointed PNP chief, depending on the prerogative of the President.