Only one name on ‘list’ for next PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año only has one name on his list for the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Año said he has submitted the one-man list to President Duterte for his consideration on who will lead the 200,000-strong police force.

“The recommendation has only one name. But the President has the prerogative to also choose anyone with a rank of at least Police Brigadier General in the PNP force,” he told reporters.

Current PNP chief General Debold Sinas, who was embroiled in the Mañanita gaffe that saw him and 18 other cops charged for quarantine protocols, is set to retire on May 8.

He bypassed senior PNP officers when he was named as the PNP chief, succeeding retired General Camilo Cascolan, by President Duterte in November.

The current second-highest ranking police officer in the roster is Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the PNP deputy chief for administration.

Eleazar rose through the ranks and has gone through all three of the most senior positions in the PNP as the head of the National Capital Regional Office, then as the PNP chief of directorial staff and the PNP deputy chief for operations.