MANILA (2ND UPDATE) - Metro Manila police chief Director Oscar Albayalde is the next top cop.

President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that Albayalde would succeed Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"Si Albayalde lang sa PNP kasi tinanong ko 'yung mga taga-Davao...," he said in a speech at the Malacañang Palace.

Duterte added that locals in Davao described Albayalde as very strict, making the latter fit for the post.

"The stricter, the better," the President said of the police official known for sacking officers he would find sleeping on the job during surprise inspections.

Albayalde said he is thankful for the President's confidence in him and vowed to work hard as the new leader of the PNP.

“Siyempre very, very much elating at thankful, unang-una sa Diyos, sa Presidente, at kay Chief PNP (Dela Rosa) for giving trust and confidence in me," he told reporters.

"Rest assured that I will not betray their trust and confidence na ibinigay nila sa'kin, 'yun ang maipapangako ko sa kanila,” he added.

The PNP welcomed Albayalde's looming appointment and praised the official.

"The 185,000-strong PNP uniformed and non-uniformed personnel will give its full support to his (Albayalde's) leadership. His proven track-record of service assures us that the policies of the government relative to public order and safety will be sustained," the police force said in a statement.

Albayalde, who currently heads the National Capital Region Police Office, is set to retire from the force in 2019.

Just like Dela Rosa, Albayalde is also a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986.

Albayalde was ranked 7th among the graduates and finished cum laude. He completed his Masters in Public Administration in 1996.

Prior to his appointment as Metro Manila police chief in 2016, Albayalde held several positions in Central Luzon including director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office.

In February, Duterte had extended the term of Dela Rosa “for a little bit longer” but did not provide specifics.

Dela Rosa, who is supposed to end his first extended term on April 21, had previously named Albayalde as among those fit to succeed him.

“I would like to thank him sa kaniyang suporta. Hindi niya alam na malaking bagay 'yung pag-endorse niya sa akin sa ating Presidente so I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart at ibinigay din niya 'yung tiwala niya sa akin. So again, I will not betray his trust and confidence,” Albayalde said of Dela Rosa.

After his retirement, Dela Rosa is set to head the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). He was originally set to retire in January.

• Dela Rosa is next Bureau of Corrections chief