The Philippine National Police's fourth in command has been chosen as the next national chief, a presidential spokesman said Thursday.
President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has chosen Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome to lead the 115,000-strong police force, said Abigail Valte.
Bartolome's appointment was announced ahead of current PNP Chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo's retirement.
"President Aquino has chosen Nicanor Bartolome to be the next chief of the Philippine National Police," Valte said in a text message to reporters.
"Bartolome will take the helm of the PNP from Chief Raul Bacalzo, who retires tomorrow," she added.
A former PNP spokesman, Bartolome rose in the PNP rank and held top positions in key PNP units. He was Regional Director of the Police Regional Office 4-A and the National Capital Region Police Office prior being PNP's fourth in command.
Bartolome, a native of Gerona, Tarlac, holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Mapitagan” Class of 1980, Bartolome was initially assigned in Mindanao and had 11 years of combat duty.
According to a separate PNP statement, Bartolome has earned 10 Military Merit Medals, seven Military Commendation Medals, 17 Medalya ng Kagalingan, a Bronze Cross Medal for bravery, two Medalya ng Kadakilaan for heroism, the Mindanao-Sulu Campaign Medal and the Anti-Dissident Campaign Medal as member of the police force.
