Archie Gamboa

Archie Francisco Feranil Gamboa (; born September 2, 1964) is a Filipino lawyer and retired police general who served as the 23rd Chief of the Philippine National Police from October 2019 to September 2020.

Gamboa was born and raised in Bukidnon and graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1986. He served in the Philippine Army's Scout Rangers in Northern Mindanao before joining the police force in 1997 as the spokesperson of the Davao Region Police Office. He was the provincial police chief of Bukidnon from 2005 to 2007 and was later assigned to Camp Crame, Caraga, and Calabarzon. While at Camp Crame, he studied law at José Rizal University and passed the bar exam in 2004. In 2017, he became the Chief of the Directorial Staff, the PNP's fourth-highest position, and rose through the ranks, becoming the Deputy Chief for Administration in 2019—the second-highest position. After Oscar Albayalde's resignation in October 2019 amidst the ninja cops controversy, Gamboa was appointed officer-in-charge (OIC) of the PNP. He completed his primary education at Maramag's central elementary school and for his secondary education, he attended and graduated from Ateneo de Davao University located in Davao City.

Gamboa later attained a Master of Business Administration from Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan in 1995. He then spent several years as a battalion command staff member in Northern Mindanao before officially joining the national police force as a spokesperson for the Davao Region Police Office based in Camp Panacan, Davao City in 1997. After four years, Gamboa transferred to the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police as a duty officer of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He spent two years in Camp Crame before returning to Mindanao to serve as provincial police chief in his native Bukidnon in 2005. He was also credited for reinstating the combat duty pay and combat incentive pay for PNP personnel and the specialist pay for the Internal Affairs Service and the Maritime Group as comptrollership director.

On March 5, a Bell 429 helicopter carrying Gamboa and seven other police officials crashed after it hit power cables just after takeoff in San Pedro, Laguna. Gamboa was conscious when he was pulled out from the wreckage; he suffered injuries on his shoulder and right hand and was brought to St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig. However, two police generals who accompanied Gamboa were in critical condition after the crash, while the others had minor injuries. Gamboa and his entourage had just finished inspecting a facility for impounded vehicles in San Pedro and were on their way to Camp Vicente Lim in nearby Calamba when the crash occurred. LGen Camilo Cascolan, the Deputy Chief for Administration, was the officer-in-charge of the PNP while Gamboa recovered from his injuries. On March 9, Gamboa reported back to work wearing a sling on his right arm.

On March 16, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Luzon and its associated islands were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) by President Duterte, while a state of public health emergency was earlier declared for the whole country. To enforce the ECQ, the PNP had set up checkpoints to limit non-essential movement and travel. On March 17, Gamboa announced that people on non-essential travel will be arrested if they insist on passing through the checkpoints. He also acknowledged the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for the police officers manning the checkpoints. On March 31, Gamboa announced that the nationwide crime rate was reduced by 56% which he attributed to the implementation of the ECQ.

Gamboa tested negative for COVID-19 on April 1, after possible exposure to the disease, as Interior Secretary Eduardo Año tested positive the previous day. Despite having no recent meeting with Año, Gamboa underwent a 14-day quarantine and did not show any symptoms of the disease.

On April 21, Gamboa announced that those who will violate the ECQ in Luzon will not be warned anymore—instead, they would be immediately arrested and undergo inquest proceedings, citing the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Explaining the change in policy, Gamboa said: "We need to do this because we also want to mitigate the continued risks faced by frontline PNP personnel who are exposed to increasing number of people and motorists violating the ECQ at checkpoints." At that time, at least 55 PNP personnel have tested positive for COVID-19, while 136,517 people were recorded to have violated the ECQ (of which 31,363 have been arrested, 6,168 fined, and 98,986 were issued warnings). Two days later, he reconsidered his statement saying that more arrests will congest the prisons, some of which already have cases of COVID-19. He said that violators can be required to do community service or fined instead of being detained, explaining that the violators must be punished "to a certain degree" so they would understand the seriousness of the situation.

On April 21, Winston Ragos, a retired soldier with PTSD, was fatally shot by PMSg Daniel Florendo Jr. at a checkpoint in Quezon City. Ragos, who was scolded for violating the ECQ, allegedly attempted to pull out a gun after a heated argument with the police officers. The incident was filmed by a CCTV and phone camera and the footage went viral online. In a separate interview with ANC, Gamboa explained: "When you are confronted with a person armed with a pistol, its equivalent is also a pistol. When we are confronted with an armed aggressor or a suspect—because a lot of policemen have already died—actually my instruction is really don't let the other person go first." Nonetheless, Gamboa assured that an investigation is underway, and that the PNP is in communication with the Commission on Human Rights, adding: "We have to know all the facts. We sympathize with the family of Ragos, but please give the PNP the trust that we will investigate this case thoroughly."

On April 26, a police officer and a foreigner were involved in a scuffle in Dasmariñas Village, Makati after the officer attempted to arrest the foreigner for allegedly violating the quarantine rules. Spanish expatriate Javier Parra claimed that Senior Master Sergeant Roland Von Madrona wanted to fine him for allowing his housemaid to water plants outside without wearing a face mask—a supposed violation of ECQ guidelines. Madrona and Parra had a heated argument, with Madrona later tackling Parra to the ground in an attempt to arrest him. The incident was filmed by Parra's wife, while Parra eventually escaped into his house (he later revealed he had a pre-existing spinal injury). The police denied Parra's accusations, with a separate video showing Madrona attempting to speak calmly with Parra, who yelled expletives and ordered the police to leave. Madrona's superior also denied that the officer attempted to fine Parra's housemaid, but rather he was going to issue her a ticket violation. The following day, General Gamboa ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to investigate the incident. Reacting to the aforementioned incident, Gamboa defended the actions of PSMS Madrona, saying: "You saw how big the foreigner is compared to the policeman … based on the video, it is very clear that enough force was applied." (Full quote in mixed Tagalog and English: "Nakita 'nyo naman siguro, your honors, kung gaano kalaki 'yung foreigner compared sa policeman.) So really, it will depend. Pero nakita 'nyo naman he was able to subdue the suspect pero medyo nahirapan siya. So based on the video, it is very clear that enough force was applied." Gamboa later visited Madrona in Makati to personally thank him: "We're behind you. You showed the Filipino people that policemen are not partial; we are impartial. [We're here] to show them that what Madrona did was right, and I hope this message gets across to everybody."

On May 1, Gamboa announced that the PNP is open to investigations regarding alleged human rights violations committed by officers enforcing the ECQ.

On May 12, photos of NCRPO chief Debold Sinas celebrating his birthday on May 8 went viral and drew flak online for allegedly violating the ECQ ban on mass gatherings and liquor. The photos were uploaded by the NCRPO's official Facebook account and were later removed. Gamboa defended Sinas, saying: "No party took place", explaining that it was a mañanita (early morning birthday serenade) which is a tradition among PNP officials. Gamboa also added: "General Sinas said they observed social distancing. I don't think there's any violation here." (Full quote in mixed Tagalog and English: "Walang party ang nangyari, ang sabi ni General Sinas.) Probably nagkaroon ng mañanita, pero doon sa mañanita, ang sabi ni General Sinas, is inobserve pa rin nila ang social distancing. I don't think may violation ito" The next day, Sinas and 18 other officers were charged with violating the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. However, on May 18, Gamboa announced that Sinas will not be dismissed or suspended, describing him as "hard to replace". Gamboa explained his decision: "I hope the public would understand because we're in an emergency situation", citing that Sinas is in charge of several COVID-related programs. (Full quote in mixed Tagalog and English: "Yes.) I hope the public would understand kasi nandito tayo sa emergency situation. Pag palitan mo siya, we will never know. Napakahirap palitan dahil ang dami niyang programa in relation to COVID." On May 20, President Duterte also announced that Sinas will not be dismissed or transferred.

Key Positions Provincial Director, Bukidnon Police Provincial Office Deputy Chief for Administration, Police Regional Office 11 Regional Director, Police Regional Office 4A CALABARZON Director, PNP Directorate for Logistics Director, PNP Directorate for Comptrollership Chief of Directorial Staff Deputy Chief PNP for Operations Deputy Chief PNP for Administration Officer-in-Charge, PNP (concurrent capacity) Chief, PNP

Awards Gamboa received more than 100 medals and citations throughout his military and law enforcement career, including:

PMA Alumnus Award

Footnotes