Cascolan says Sinas ‘generally did good’ despite shortcomings

Outgoing PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan. Image from his official Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Cascolan on Tuesday said Police Major General Debold Sinas, the next chief of the police force, generally did good despite the latter’s “shortcomings.”

“No. It is between him and [Police Lieutenant Guillermo] Eleazar and I know they have done good in their service. There are a lot of things he (Sinas) did maybe there are shortcomings but generally he has done good,” Cascolan said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel when asked if he was surprised that President Rodrigo Duterte appointed outgoing National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Sinas as the new PNP chief.

Despite being involved in the controversial mañanita fete, Duterte designated Sinas as the nation’s top cop due to the police official’s track record in the government’s bloody drug war.

Sinas and several other policemen are facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Taguig Prosecutor’s Office due to breach of quarantine rules during the celebration of the outgoing NCRPO chief’s birthday mañanita last May 8.

When asked about the development of cases against Sinas, Cascolan said: “I don’t know. I am not privy to the case. I am not following it up but let him (Sinas) explain.”

Cascolan is set to retire this Tuesday while Sinas will officially assume his post as the next chief of the nation’s police organization.

JPV