Sinas says he is qualified to be PNP chief

November 11, 2020

The new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said he is qualified to replace retired Police General Camilo Cascolan even if he is being criticized for bypassing senior police officers from the command group.

In a televised briefing, Police General Debold Sinas said he was not told that he was one of the recommended names to be the next PNP chief when they met President Rodrigo Duterte recently.

Sinas’ appointment is being questioned despite being the previous  National Capital Region police director, surpassing members of the command groups, which consists of his classmates from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1987.

“I don’t know the criteria (of the president). I just presented my accomplishments, my leadership style, my ways on how to implement the directive of the President,” he said.

“It’s (his) prerogative on who will he choose,” he added.

Sinas said that other candidates, such as Lt. Gen Guillermo Eleazar, were in the meeting with Duterte.

“If I will be asked, I am qualified… I’ve been to a lot of positions in different regions in the Philippines,” Sinas said.

“If they are raising their eyebrows, that is their opinion and I will just prove to them later on that I am qualified to be the chief PNP,” he added.

Sinas said he assured Duterte the PNP will intensify the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and terrorism.

He also asked for the public’s support and assured that the PNP is ready to assist everyone in need.

“I promise to the President that I will do my best to lead the PNP in the right way,” Sinas said. Ella Dionisio/DMS