Carlos, former PNP spox is new PNP Chief
Eleazar not retiring, to seek Senate seat
ANOTHER former spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a veteran of the country’s campaign against terrorism, has been appointed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as the 27th director general (PNP Chief) of the 220,000-strong national police organization.
Police Lt. General Dionardo Carlos, a product of the ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and erstwhile chief of the PNP’s Directorial Staff, takes over from P/Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Tolentino Eleazar, who retired from the service after just a 6-month stint as PNP Chief on reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 last November 13, 2021.
Carlos’ appointment was announced by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary, Eduardo M. Año only last November 10, 2021, two days before he presided the command turnover ceremony at Camp Crame.
“The President’s decision placing PLtGen. Carlos at the helm of the PNP is guided, as always, by cautious consideration of a candidate’s seniority, merit, track record, and service reputation,” Año said in a statement to the media.
“We expect the new PNP Chief to hit the ground running and intensify efforts to counter illegal drugs, fight criminality, and end the communist armed conflict in the country.
“We expect that he will set the highest standards for himself and the rest of the PNP organization on their performance and discipline especially on the goal of cleansing the police organization, leaving no room for scalawags,” the DILG secretary added.
Carlos would only be the third former spokesman of PNP to assume its top post, after P/Gen. Nicanor Bartolome and P/Gen. Leonardo Espina.
Bartolome was appointed PNP Chief in September 2011 and was forced to retire early by then Pres. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino in December 2012 to give way to his “favorite” police official, then National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) chief, P/Gen. Alan Purisima.
Espina succeeded Purisima as PNP Chief after the latter was first ordered suspended by the Ombudsman for six months for corruption and subsequently forced to retire in disgrace by Pres. Aquino on February 5, 2015, over the massacre of 44 members of the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao early that year. Espina served as PNP Chief up to July 2015 on reaching his mandatory retirement age.
Eleazar to seek Senate seat
Although Secretary Año told Eleazar that he now has “time for his family” after bowing out from the PNP, this may have to wait after Sen. Panfilo Lacson, also a former PNP Chief, confirmed on November 13—Eleazar’s birthday—that he would be joining the 2022 senatorial ticket of the Partido Reporma that Lacson heads at its presidential standard bearer.
Eleazar would be substituting for broadcaster, Paolo Capino.
The news of Eleazar seeking a Senate seat is no longer as a surprise. Rumors about it has been going on for several months already, even while he was still in active service.
Eleazar’s entry into the senatorial race is also expected to boost the Partido Reporma and the presidential ambition of Lacson, who has been at the tail-end in all pre-poll presidential surveys.
Carlos to continue Eleazar’s legacy
In his speech, Carlos said that Eleazar’s biggest legacy to the PNP, his ‘Intensified Cleanliness Policy’ (ICP), “will remain in high gear.”
“We will not be remiss in continuing the reforms that have been started by past administrations. The programs that have been initiated and the policies that have been strengthened in the organization. The intensified cleanliness policy of Gen. Eleazar will remain in high gear,” Carlos said.
“Every problem regardless of its severity will be addressed with the same attention and intensity. Walang maliit o malaking problema. Lahat ay bibigyan natin ng atensyon,” he added.
A native of Lucena City, Quezon province, Carlos would serve as PNP Chief until May 8, 2022, or just a day before the 2022 national elections.
