New head of police announced for the Philippines

LIEUTENANT General Guillermo Eleazar will be the next Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing General Debold Sinas.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año announced this on Wednesday, following the approval from President Rodrigo Duterte for Eleazar to lead the 200,000-strong force, Philstar.com reported.

Eleazar will assume duties today after the change of command ceremony here replacing Sinas whose mandatory retirement falls on Saturday.

Año said he submitted a "one-man list" to Duterte, explaining that only one name was recommended for the post following a resolution by the National Police Commission (Napolcom), last week.

"I welcome the appointment of Lieutenant General Eleazar who is very qualified for the job. Through a Napolcom resolution, Eleazar was recommended to be the next Chief PNP based on seniority, merit, service reputation and competence to lead the police force," Año said in a statement.

"I expect Lieutenant General Eleazar to lead the PNP organisation to greater heights amidst the pandemic during these challenging times," he added.

Eleazar said he was thankful for being chosen to be among the instruments of having a well-disciplined and professional police force.

"I am thankful for the President and I promise not to let him down," said Eleazar who will serve as chief of the PNP for six months as he is set to retire from the service on Nov. 13 when he reaches the mandatory age of retirement.

Eleazar, who was second highest ranking official under Sinas, said he would work for a PNP that could always be counted on in enforcing the law and in serving and protecting the people.

He is noted for spearheading the implementation of Covid-19 quarantine protocols as commander of Joint Task Force Covid-19 Shield.

A member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1987, he rose through the ranks and held almost all the senior positions in the PNP, including the top posts in the National Capital Regional Police Office, the PNP directorial staff and PNP operations.

Eleazar is the sixth PNP chief appointed by Duterte. His predecessors are Senator Ronald dela Rosa, Oscar Albayalde, Archie Francisco Gamboa, Undersecretary Camilo Pancratius Cascolan and Sinas.