By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Gen. Guillermo Eleazar

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Currently serving as the PNP deputy chief for administration, Eleazar is set to replace outgoing Police Chief General Debold Sinas.

Eleazar also served as the commander of the quarantine implementer Joint Task Force COVID Shield and also became the chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Both Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the confirmation to reporters. Año said Eleazar is the only official being recommended by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) as Sinas’ successor.

“Gen. Eleazar’s track record of professionalism, dedication, and integrity speaks for itself. We are therefore confident that he will continue the reform initiatives of his predecessors and lead the police organization to greater heights. All the best to Gen. Eleazar as the new PNP Chief,” Roque said.

“Through a Napolcom resolution, Eleazar was recommended to be the next PNP chief based on seniority, merit, service reputation, and competence to lead the police force,” Año pointed out.

“I expect Lt. Gen. Eleazar to lead the PNP organization to greater heights amidst the pandemic during these challenging times,” Año added.

Año will lead the turnover ceremony which is set on May 7.

Eleazar will retire on November when he reaches 56 years old, the mandatory retirement age for the police officers.