President Rodrigo Duterte named Metro Manila police chief Major General Debold Sinas as the new chief of Philippine National Police (PNP), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced Monday.
Sinas will take over Gen. Camilo Cascolan’s position on November 10, Roque said. The incumbent PNP chief will retire on Tuesday at the age of 56.
In September, Cascolan said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas deserves a promotion.
“Well, until now, there’s no replacement. We have to evaluate him properly. The guy deserves also an evaluation and, of course, a promotion too. He has done good things, and that’s all really I can say,” Cascolan told ANC.
“I think he needs to be up to the Directorial Staff or a certain position that is fit most especially for him…” he added.
The PNP chief added he believes NCRPO chief Sinas is an expert in police officers and recruits’ training.
In May, Sinas apologized for his birthday celebration that allegedly violated the protocols on mass gathering and social distancing amid the enhanced community quarantine.
“Nevertheless, I apologize for what transpired during my birthday that caused anxiety to the public. It was never my intention to disobey any existing protocols relative to the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine,” NCRPO chief Sinas said in a statement.
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However, he claimed that some of the photos on the birthday fete were taken from old celebrations and were edited.
“Some of the pictures circulating in the social media were edited and grabbed from old posts. The pictures may depict itself however, it does not define the totality of what really had happened,” Sinas said.
NCRPO Public Information Office on May 8, 2020, posted photos of police officers serenading Sinas and giving him roses and cakes.
In July, the next PNP chief was also involved in another controversy when he allegedly threatened a family of a retired cop to move out of their home within the campgrounds.
Sinas is set to retire in May 2021 when he turns 56.