Director General Avelino Razon yesterday dismissed as speculations reports that Police Director Geary Barias has been stricken off from the initial list of nominees to succeed him as chief of the Philippine National Police.

“There is no such thing as a short list, it’s only in the news,” Razon said.

Razon, however, said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can choose the next PNP chief starting from the rank of Chief Superintendent (brigadier general), Director (major general) and Deputy Director General (lieutenant general), according to the law and rules of succession.

Reports had said Barias, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, was stricken off from the list of possible nominees to the position of Razon who is expected to retire, five months from now.

Deputy Director Generals Jesus Verzosa, Emmanuel Carta and Ismael Rafanan were reported to be among the strong contenders for the position, being three-star generals.

Barias had served as provincial police director of Negros Occidental and later as regional police chief of Western Visayas.

Razon who attended the Peace and Order Council meeting at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, said he will focus on his work during his remaining five months in service. He said he will leave it to the President whom she will choose to be his successor.

Razon also said an extension for any position is not healthy for the PNP organization. “There are many senior police officers who are qualified and skilled for the position of PNP chief,” he added.

President Arroyo had earlier extended the term of Gen. Hermogenes Esperon as AFP chief of staff for three months. He will retire from the military service May 9.

Both Razon and Esperon are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’74.

Barias, Carta, who is the Deputy Chief for Operations, and Rafanan, chief of the PNP directorial staff, are members of PMA Class ’75, while Verzosa, Deputy Chief for Administration, who occupies the number two position in the PNP, belongs to PMA Class ’76.

Razon said he and the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government will recommend the next PNP chief to President Arroyo, before he retires.*GPB

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