Three eye top PNP post

Eleazar moves up to No. 4; Sinas is new Metro Manila police chief

Three senior police officials are now vying to be the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Friday.

They are Police Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, Police Lt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, and Police Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. All three officials now occupy the next top three posts in the PNP, next to PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde who is set to retire on November 8.

Go, the former top aide of President Duterte, based his revelation from the shortlist of the Chief Executive.

Earlier on Thursday night the PNP announced the appointment of Eleazar as the Chief Directorial Staff (TCDS), the fourth highest posi

tion in the PNP.

Eleazar will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, who is the current director of the Central Visayas regional police (PRO-7), at the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

“The new designations will take effect October 12 (Saturday),” said PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac.

Banac said the revamp was caused by the retirement of Lt. Gen. Fernando Mendez, the No. 2 man of the PNP, being the Deputy Chief for Administration.

Mendez reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Friday.

The retirement of Mendez will automatically move up Gamboa as his replacement.

Gamboa’s position as No. 3 man, or the Deputy Chief for Operations, will be taken over by Cascolan, the former TCDS.

Mendez, Gamboa and Cascolan are all members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1986, along with PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

Eleazar and Sinas are from PMA Class 1987.

The appointment of Eleazar will earn him his third star since the position is for three-star rank.

His mistah, Sinas, is also expected to get his second star as NCRPO chief.

The PNP leadership is yet to name Sinas’ replacement. Acting as officer-in-charge of PRO-7 is Colonel Ildebrandi Usana, the regional deputy director for administration.

Go’s announcement came after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he will submit the list of contenders for the top PNP post to the President not later than October 20. Año chairs the National Police Commission. (With reports from Martin A. Sadongdong and Calvin Cordova)