LINGAYEN – “Thank God, I survived it!”

This was the statement - sigh of Police Director General Arturo Lomibao over his one year anniversary as PNP chief this week.

“I survived it. So it means I can still survive up to July 5 when I retire, with support from the citizenry, the PNP and the media,” Lomibao smilingly jested to mediamen who met with him last week.

He said it will al depend on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whether he would be extended or not. He said he prefers that he retires in July 2006 so that the younger officer can also have their chance to become PNP chief.

Lomibao, a native of Mangaldan, Pangasinan, described his one year stint as PNP chief as a time for transformation of the PNP.

“It was a time for me to bring the dignity of the PNP” he said, adding that he is grateful to the President for giving him the chance to do it.

He admitted that his one-year reign as the PNP chief was marred by crisis after crisis.

Lomibao had his first baptism of fire when several captured Abu Sayaff leaders staged an aborted jail break at their cell in Bicutan, Taguig, killing their guards before they were attacked and subdued by elements of the PNP Special Action Force.

That was just a few hours after assuming command of the PNP.
“I am glad that with the support of the PNP personnel, I was able to succeed,” Lomibao said, emphasizing that this is at least his opinion.

Asked by newsmen if he sees anymore effort to destabilize the government, he said they (destabilizers) can always attempt but he said “we in the PNP and, of course, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not allow it”.