Ex-PNP spox Dionardo Carlos named next PNP chief

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday appointed Police Lieutenant General Dionardo Carlos as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Malacañang and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed. 

Carlos will be replacing Police General Guillermo Eleazar, who will retire on November 13 after six months at the helm of the 220,000-strong police organization. 

"We are confident that General Carlos will continue making the PNP a professional, capable and reform-oriented organization that we envision it to be," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. 

"We wish General Carlos all the best as the new PNP Chief."

Año said he expects Carlos to intensify efforts against illegal drugs and criminality and to end the communist armed conflict in the country.

"We expect that he will set the highest standards for himself and the rest of the PNP organization on their performance and discipline especially on the goal of cleansing the police organization, leaving no room for scalawags," Año said.

"We look forward with optimism that his leadership will bring about innovation and reform in the police organization in the fulfillment of the PNP’s duty to serve and protect the people, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency," he added. 

Año said Carlos' appointment was "guided, as always, by cautious consideration of a candidate’s seniority, merit, track record, and service reputation." 

Prior to his appointment to the PNP's top post, Carlos served as the police force's spokesperson and chief of the Aviation Security Group. He is currently the chief of the PNP Directorial Staff, making him the fourth highest ranked police official.

Carlos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on May 8, 2022. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ/VBL, GMA News