EDITORIAL – Sinas’ transfer

In the next few days, Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas will have a new police regional director to replace Brigadier General Debold Sinas, who is confirmed to be assigned to head the National Capitol Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Sinas himself broke the news of his reassignment few days ago in the wake of a Senate investigation into the issue of “ninja cops,” who recycled illegal drugs they recovered from dealer they arrested.

But Sinas’ transfer to the capital is not due to the “ninja cops” controversy. It came as part of a major revamp among police officials, as Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde is set to retire next month.

Historically, majority of those assigned to call the shots at the Police Regional Office-7 would end their tour of duty at the NCPRO. In fact, many of them would go on to get the country’s top PNP position.

We do not know if Sinas would have all the luck to follow in the footsteps of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Avelino Razon, two police generals heading the regional police office who became PNP chiefs.

However, given his performance in Central Visayas for a year and four months that saw President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs gain the upper hand, Sinas has the potential to be chosen to head the police organization.

“At least I’m happy to have served Central Visayas for one year and four months. And hopefully, I’m just hoping that I was able to make a difference and elevate the PNP service in Central Visayas,” Sinas told reporters yesterday.

Sinas may have been one of the most controversial directors ever to head the PRO-7. But, at least, he has lived up to the expectation of Duterte, his commander-in-chief, as far as the administration’s war on drugs and peace and order campaign are concerned.