Lieutenant General Camilo Cascolan is the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, replacing retiring top cop General Archie Gamboa, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed to Rappler on Tuesday, September 1.

“He is next. There are already appointment papers,” Año told Rappler in a phone interview.

Cascolan is set to retire on November 10 as he reaches the mandatory age of retirement of 56, unless President Rodrigo Duterte decides to extend his term.

Asked about Cascolan’s possible short term, Año said the public should not focus on the span of his stint, but the work to be done.

“Matagal pa naman ang 2 months (2 months is still long). We don’t think of that yet. There is a lot to be done,” he said.

In terms of seniority, Cascolan was next in line to be chief as the deputy chief for administration of the PNP. He belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986. (READ: Top contenders: Who will replace PNP chief Archie Gamboa?)

All of the police chiefs of Duterte so far belong to the 1986 Class. Gamboa is also a member of the same class, as well as their predecessors, disgraced police chief Oscar Albayalde and top cop-turned-senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Before holding the second-highest post in the PNP, Cascolan served briefly as chief of the Metro Manila police.

Cascolan is most known for being one of the co-authors of Oplan Double Barrel, the basis for the deadly anti-drug campaign of President Duterte that, depending on the group counting, has killed over 5,600 to 8,000 drug suspects.

Human rights advocates estimate that the anti-drug campaign has killed at least 30,000, including killings outside police operations inspired by the campaign. – Rappler.com