DIRECTOR General Raul Bacalzo, National Police chief, said on Tuesday he will relinquish his post on Friday, six days before his mandatory retirement in the middle of this month.

“The President has not announced who my successor will be, but I will turn over the leadership of the National Police on Friday, six days before my birthday on September 15,” he said.

Sources said Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome, currently the chief of the force’s directorial staff and the fourth- highest ranking officer in the National Police, will replace Bacalzo.

Bacalzo said he had chosen to retire on Friday in order to be accorded with retirement ceremonies, which are usually held on Fridays.

“I would like to take advantage of [the] retirement ceremony which is always held on a Friday. My birthday falls on a Thursday, so if I have to wait for it, then I will already be a civilian by that time,” he said.

“Second, I promised my family that I will be joining them on my birthday,” he added.

Bacalzo said he was looking forward to a long vacation with the members of his family.

Bacalzo disclosed he had not yet received any offer to join the Aquino administration, a gesture that is normally made to favored retiring senior officers in the military and the police.

However, he could not say whether he will accept the offer if such is made.

“I’ll cross the bridge when I get there,” he said.

Bacalzo said he will not get “sendoff money,” an act that he will leave to the National Police along with the improved morale and welfare of its members.

He called on his successor to continue the reforms that he has initiated in the force, adding he did his best as its leader.

“My only appeal is for the reforms that we have started or the foundations of reforms to be continued. I am not saying that I did it or finished it. What I am saying is I tried my best to initiate reform programs in the force and I hope the future leadership will continue these initiatives,” he said.