BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and VICTOR REYES
PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday named Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as the new PNP chief, vice Gen. Debold Sinas who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Saturday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Malacanang is “confident that he (Eleazar) will continue the reform initiatives of his predecessors and lead the police organization to greater heights” given his “track record of professionalism, dedication and integrity.”
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who had earlier announced Eleazar’s designation as the new head of the 220,000-strong PNP, said: “I expect Gen. Eleazar to lead and steer the PNP towards greater heights, even amid the pandemic.”
Eleazar served as the PNP’s No. 2 man under Sinas, as deputy chief for administration.
Before that, he held several sensitive positions in the PNP, including director of the National Capital Region Police Office.
Eleazar thanked Duterte for choosing him “to be among the instruments of his genuine intention of having a well-disciplined and professional police force that could always be banked on in enforcing the law and in serving and protecting the Filipino people.”
Eleazar also expressed gratitude to Año “for always believing in my capability” to lead the police force. He also thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve the people.
“To be appointed as the Chief PNP is a rare opportunity, but comes with the challenges of good leadership and meeting the high expectations of the Filipino people. I accept these challenges,” said Eleazar, who was considered one of the frontrunners for the post last year until Duterte appointed Sinas.
The National Police Commission that Año chairs recommended to the President last week the designation as Eleazar as new PNP chief.
“He’s very much qualified for the job based on merit, seniority, service reputation and competence,” Año said of Eleazar, the concurrent commander of the PNP Administrative Support for COVID-19 Task Force.
Eleazar and Sinas were classmates at the Philippine Military Academy class of 1987, whose other members include Armed Forces chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Navy chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo and Coast Guard commandant Adm. George Ursabia.
Eleazar is due to retire in November this year, meaning he will serve as PNP chief for six months, just like Sinas.
Año said Eleazar will assume his new post on Friday, a day ahead of the 56th birthday of Sinas. Año will preside over the turnover ceremony.
Asked what Eleazar can do in six months as PNP chief, Año said “The PNP has continuing plans and programs so he needs not invent (anything). All he needs to do is follow the programs of the PNP, plus, of course, he can introduce some innovations.”
Año said Sinas did a good job, adding: “He is a silent worker; it’s just that there are many controversies.”
Sinas, while head of the NCRPO, figured in the “mananita” controversy where his subordinates threw a birthday party in celebration of his 55th birthday, in the process violating health protocols like social distancing and wearing of face masks.
“But he is really a silent worker. Every day, I see him working, simple, no fanfare,” Año said of Sinas. “He’s been visiting troops throughout the country and if you order him to do a job, he’s not going to stop until he accomplished the order you gave. Gen. Debold Sinas led the organization well.”
Año said Eleazar will recommend who will take over his job as the PNP’s No. 2 man.
“Then, I will also endorse that (recommendation) to the President,” Año said.
Eleazar was promoted as the PNP deputy chief for administration and head of ASCOTF chief in September last year. Before that, he was the PNP deputy chief for operations and concurrent commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, which is playing a key role in the implementation of quarantine protocols in the entire country.
Aside from serving as NCRPO chief, Eleazar also served as the Chief Directorial Staff of the PNP, chief of the CALABARZON regional police office, and Quezon City Police District.
