Sindac explains PNP reorganization

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police’s Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said Friday that the “lines are clear” when it comes to his job as the new chief of the PNP’s Public Information Office and that of PNP’s official spokesman, Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr.

“The lines are clear. Real time information, especially on the CPNP [Office of the PNP Chief] office, [is the work of] General Cerbo. And then if there’s follow-up, then the PIO will handle it for the full story,” Sindac said in his first appearance before reporters in Camp Crame as PIO chief.

He said the reorganization aims to facilitate a more effective mass communication and public information in support of the law enforcement and public safety mission of the PNP.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines follows a similar structure with Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan Jr. as AFP spokesman, and Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala as AFP’s Public Information Office chief.

Cerbo was reassigned to the Directorate for Operations to ensure his direct access to real-time information from all PNP Units nationwide, while Sindac has been placed under the Directorate for Police Community Relations.

Asked if this was his first time to hold a public relations-type of work, Sindac said no, and noted that it is among his “favorite subjects.”

When he was the provincial director of Masbate, Sindac said he was actually the one who introduced the provincial police office in the media map when he set up an Internet group to work on information blasts sent through Yahoo and other social websites.

With his new job as chief PIO, Sindac said he would make his office more responsive to emerging social media, including Twitter and Facebook.

“We will try new ways and wouldn’t be afraid to experiment,” Sindac said, but noted that initiatives and programs of Cerbo will be continued, and probably improved.

Meanwhile, Cerbo told INQUIRER.net that this reorganization would not really result to lesser media interviews with PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisma, himself.

“No, not really. He’s still available for interview, especially on more important issues,” Cerbo said.

Sindac was former Deputy Director for Operations of the PNP Highway Patrol Group, and has extensive command, staff and training experience in various PNP Units and Offices.