Guillermo Eleazar is next PNP chief, says DILG chief Año

Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar is the next chief of the Philippine National Police, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Wednesday.

Eleazar will replace Police General Debold Sinas, who is set to retire on May 8.

"I welcome the appointment Police Lieutenant General Eleazar who is very qualified for the job," Año said in a statement.

"I expect [him] to lead the PNP organization to greater heights amidst the pandemic during these challenging times," he added.

In a separate statement, President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said the Chief Executive had signed Eleazar's appointment.

"General Eleazar’s track record of professionalism, dedication and integrity speaks for itself," Roque said.

"We are therefore confident that he will continue the reform initiatives of his predecessors and lead the police organization to greater heights," he added.

Eleazar and Sinas both belong to the Philippine Military Academy "Hinirang" Class of 1987.

Año said Eleazar's recommendation to be the next PNP chief was based on seniority, merit, service reputation and competence to lead the police force.

Before his appointment as PNP chief, he served as the commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield in 2020.

He also became the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office before entering the PNP's Command Group. 

Eleazar thanked Duterte for his appointment, which he said was a rare opportunity that came with the challenges of good leadership and meeting the high expectations of the Filipinos.

"I express my sincerest gratitude to our commander-in-chief, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, for choosing me 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 said in a statement.

He also thanked Año for always believing in his capacity to lead the 220,000-strong police force.

Año said Eleazar's recommendation to be the next PNP chief was based on seniority, merit, service reputation and competence to lead the police force.

Before his appointment as PNP chief, he served as the commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield in 2020.

He also became the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office before entering the PNP's Command Group. —With reports from Llanesca Panti/NB, GMA News