Eleazar appointment as PNP chief welcomed

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s leaders welcomed with high hopes and expectations yesterday the appointment of Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as the 26th Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, even if his tenure ends in just six months.

Malacañang said President Duterte has high expectations of the incoming PNP chief, whose capabilities to lead the country’s 220,000-strong police force are a cause for optimism.

“We greet police Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar on his appointment as the next chief of our national police. The President and the people have high expectations of you,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said at a press briefing.

“We believe that you can face the trials that will come your way,” he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III called President Duterte’s appointment of Eleazar as the “best choice ever.”

“He will be very good for the PNP, (and) for the country… A noble man! He is kind and at the same time strict,” Sotto said of Eleazar.

“We would probably see another Ping Lacson,” he added in reference to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who once led the PNP before being elected to the Senate.

Asked if he had any unsolicited advice for Eleazar, Sotto said “keep up your unblemished record.”

Lacson, too, said Eleazar was “a good pick” by the President.

“Aside from being the most senior, his long experience as a hardworking police officer makes him eminently qualified to lead the police organization especially during these challenging times,” he said.

Duterte’s first appointed PNP chief, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa commented: “Excellent choice. The PNP is in good hands. Gen. Eleazar has the leadership qualities that would further elevate the level of professionalism in the PNP.”

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) national president Domingo Egon Cayosa expressed hope there would be significant improvements in the police force under Eleazar whom he described as “truly an officer and a gentleman.”

“Gen. Eleazar has been a performing proactive police officer and a key ally in and supporter of the IBP’s Lawyer Security and Justice Program. We look forward to more effective law enforcement and anti-criminality campaigns of the PNP in accord with the rule of law and with due regard for the constitutional rights of citizens,” Cayosa said.

Former PNP chief Arturo Lomibao cited Eleazar as a good model for the field commanders to act decisively and with urgency on matters brought to their attention.

“One thing I like about the man (Eleazar), as far as I’m concerned, is he immediately replies to my text messages and calls, and acts on my concerns with dispatch,” Lomibao said.

He also quoted his mistah, retired police general Julius Yarcia, as having said, “Guilor may not have enough time, but we are confident he can make the foundation to bring back the glory days of the PC/Police.”

In the House of Representatives, administration lawmakers were all praises for the successor of retiring PNP chief Debold Sinas.

“I think there is no doubt that he fully deserves the post, especially a hardworking official like him who rose from the ranks, and a dyed-in-the-wool policeman who knows the ins and outs of the entire institution like the back of his hand,” said Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez described Eleazar as “a man of action in resolving cases with swiftness.”

Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera, a resident of Quezon City, said Eleazar was “excellent” during his stint as police district director in her city and appealed for him to roll out body cameras for the police.

“The required use of body cams in Philippine law enforcement is long overdue. We need to provide Filipinos with ample, appropriate and technology-updated law enforcement and protection of civil liberties,” she said.

Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, for his part, said: “Of all the appointments of President Duterte, this is so far the best.”

“Homicide and killings are on the rise, PNP chief Eleazar will have his hands full. We fully support him,” added the former three-term Manila mayor, who now represents Buhay party-list.

Yesterday, Sinas urged all members of the PNP organization to rally behind Eleazar. “I urge you to give my classmate, Police Lt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, the same 100-percent support you gave during the past six months under my watch,” he said.

Sinas and Eleazar belong to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987, along with Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, the deputy chief for operations, and Lt. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, the chief for directorial staff.

Sinas, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on May 8, will relinquish the PNP leadership to Eleazar in a change of command ceremony that starts at 2 p.m. today at Camp Crame. – Eva Visperas, Evelyn Macairan, EmmanuelTupas, Delon Porcalla