Año gives Duterte five names as possible next PNP chief

FILE PHOTO: Interior Secretary Eduardo Año. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has already submitted his recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte on who would possibly be the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief once Gen. Guillermo Eleazar retires on November 13.

According to a message relayed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya on Thursday, Año listed five names in the National Police Commission (Napolcom) resolution.

The recommendation, Año said, was given to Duterte on Nov. 2, Tuesday.  Año, however, clarified that the President may still choose someone outside the list if he sees an official that fits to be the next PNP chief.

“Yes, I submitted already my recommendation consisting of five names embodied in Napolcom Resolution Nr 2021-1420,” Año said in the message forwarded by Malaya through a text message.

“The President may choose among the list or he may also exercise his discretion to choose anyone from the current PNP generals. I gave the list to PRRD on Nov 2, 2021,” the DILG Secretary added.

As of now, the names of the officials in Año’s list have not yet been released.

Eleazar, once he reaches the age of 56, will retire from his post as PNP chief.  He was appointed by Duterte last May after his predecessor, former PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas, also retired.

During his term, Eleazar has pushed for an intensified cleanliness campaign, which focuses on fixing police offices, internally and externally.

Back in May when he was appointed, he warned the whole organization that police officers may face sanctions and even dismissal if they continue with their wrongdoings.

READ: Eleazar warns cops: Clean up or face sanctions 

READ: PNP chief wants police stations to be clean, orderly 

JPV