President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Malacañang said on Wednesday.
“We confirm that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed the appointment of PLTGEN Guillermo Eleazar as the new chief of the Philippine National Police,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
Eleazar will replace controversial top cop Gen. Debold Sinas, who will retire on May 8.
Eleazar, PNP’s current deputy chief for administration, is the second most senior official of the PNP.
He also served at the helm of the Joint Task Force Covid Shield and the National Capital Region Police Office.
He was also the chief of directorial staff of the PNP.
National Police Commission chief Eduardo Año recommended Eleazar to the position through a resolution.
In a statement, Año welcomed the appointment of Eleazar, whom he said was “very qualified for the job.”
Eleazar will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 in November. John Ezekiel J. Hirro