No major reshuffle yet, says PNP chief Eleazar

Newly appointed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar  (INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Saturday said he is not yet poised to order a major reshuffle of posts in the national police force.

Eleazar, during the Laging Handa press briefing,  said that while some movement took place with the retirement of former PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas, such movements were minimal and were based on retirement.

 “‘Yon kasing sinasabi nating balasahan, or movement, kung merong nagretire.  No’ng pagretire kasi no’n ng ating dating chief PNP na si General Debold Sinas, definitely malaking movement ‘yan, kasi nawala nag four stars, so merong isang umakyat,” Eleazar said.

 (The supposed reshuffling or movement, would be based on retirement. When the former PNP chief, General Debold Sinas retired, definitely it triggered some movement because a four-star official left, so others would be promoted.)

 “Gaya ng sabi ko nga, kung kinakailangan, eh magkakaroon tayo ng movement.  Pero hindi po natin nakikita ‘yon sa ngayon,” he added.

 (But as I have said, we would only have some movement if needed, but I don’t see it happening now.)

“Pero kung titignan natin very minimal ‘yong aking movement dahil hindi naman talaga ako nag-galaw dito, at pagbabasihan natin ‘yong retirement.  But I have that discretion or authority para gawin ‘yon, so inoobserbahan muna natin at ina-assess natin,” Eleazar said.

 (I have initiated very minimal movement, and we are basing it on retirement.  But I have that discretion or authority to do that, so we are observing and assessing that.)

After assuming the top PNP post last May 7, Eleazar implemented some leadership changes, with Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz becoming the deputy chief for administration, the second highest PNP post, while Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson became the third highest ranking police official as chief of the directorial staff.

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