5 names for PNP chief submitted to Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has submitted to President Duterte the list of five names recommended to replace Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar who will retire from the service next week.

The recommendation was submitted to Duterte on Tuesday, Año told reporters yesterday.

Año said the list contains five contenders who hold the ranks of brigadier general or lieutenant general.

According to Año, the President may still choose anyone outside the list if he sees an official qualified to be the next PNP chief.

“He can also exercise his discretion to pick anyone from the current roster of PNP generals,” Año told reporters.

Año previously said that seniority, merit and service reputation would be his basis in coming up with a recommendation.

Possible contenders include the PNP’s second highest official Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, deputy chief for administration; Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, deputy chief for operations, and Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the directorial staff.

Also being eyed as the next PNP chief are Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. and former Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon.

Eleazar will bow out of the police service on Nov. 13 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The sixth PNP chief under the Duterte administration, Eleazar has held three top posts of the police force – deputy chief for administration, deputy chief for operations and chief of the directorial staff. He also served as director of the National Capital Regional Police Office.

Eleazar took the helm of the PNP following the retirement of Gen. Debold Sinas in May.