MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will pick the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief this week to replace Gen. Debold Sinas who will retire on May 8 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año said he already submitted a “one-name list” recommendation on who will succeed Sinas but Duterte will still have the last say on it.
While Año did not disclose the name of the one he recommended, there were reports that PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar is being eyed as Sinas’ successor.
Eleazar, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987 like Sinas, served as the officer-in-charge when the outgoing PNP chief was tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 in March.
Other names being tagged as the possible next PNP chief were Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, PNP deputy chief for operations; and Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, PNP chief of the directorial staff.
Meanwhile, Sinas said, regardless of whom Duterte will choose as his successor, he is confident that the next PNP chief is capable of leading the police force./PN
