PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte appoints Police Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos to take the reins of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as its new chief.
His appointment was confirmed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año in a statement released to media today.
He replaces outgoing PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar, who will retire on November 12 upon reaching the mandatory age of 56 years old.
PLt. Gen. Carlos is a member of the PMA “Maringal” Class of 1988 and currently the Chief of the PNP Directorial Staff.
His previous assignments were as PNP Director for Integrated Police Operations in Visayas and in Southern Luzon, Commander of the Highway Patrol Group, head of the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management, and head of the Directorate for Police Community Relations. He also served as Regional Director of PRO8 in Eastern Visayas.
According to Año, the President’s decision to appoint PLtGen. Carlos as PNP chief is guided by “cautious consideration of a candidate’s seniority, merit, track record, and service reputation.”
“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 chief said in the statement.
He said the government is looking forward with optimism that PLt. Gen. Carlos’ leadership will bring about innovation and reform in the police organization in the fulfillment of the PNP’s duty to serve and protect the people, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency.