POLICE General Debold Sinas on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, formally assumed post as the 25th chief of the 205,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP).
In his speech during the change of command ceremony, he assured that the PNP will continuously support the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs, corruption in the government and criminality.
He also vowed to continue the programs and approaches of his predecessors in addressing the said issues and others which may arise.
He pledged that under his watch, the PNP will work in accordance to their mandate, among which is to ensure the safe and peaceful communities by deploying 85 percent of the police forces on the streets while the remaining 15 percent will serve as administrative support.
Sinas also said he will strengthen the PNP’s efforts in order to assist and support the government in its campaign to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) epidemic in the country.
“To the men and women of the Philippine National Police. I expect none the less together with the command group that we will solidly volt in in one aspiration of achieving our mandate as servant of peace and frontrunner in the rule of law, kung hindi kayo makiki vault in sa amin, si voltes five na mismo ang mag evict sa inyo,” he said during the ceremony held in Camp Crame on Tuesday afternoon.
Sinas thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for the trust and confidence he bestowed on him.
On the fight against illegal drugs, Sinas said he will strengthen the PNP’s Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) which will focus on going after high-value targets and narco-policemen.
He said he will cleanse the PDEG of erring cops who may be using their badge for their own personal advantage.
“On the campaign against illegal drugs, we will revitalize the different drug enforcement units to focus their operation on anti-illegal drugs in the apprehension of high value targets or individuals and in the identification and neutralization of the remaining ninja and narco cops including their associates and associated networks," said Sinas.
"Drug enforcement units will be manned by personnel with no reported or suspected involvement in illegal drugs to ensure integrity," he added.
Sinas said he also accepts the challenge of Duterte to end terrorism and insurgency both in rural and urban areas.
“The PNP will accept the challenge of the president to combat the terrorist whether in the red area or white area and the operations should be anchored both of the whole nation approach,” he said.
Sinas also vowed continuous operations against erring cops, adding that he will “religiously” implement the “No Take Policy” from illegal drugs operations, illegal gambling and other illegal activities.
He said he will not tolerate any wrongdoing in the police ranks including the playing of golf and going to gambling areas especially during work hours.
"Administrative cases will be resolved properly and immediately and penalty will be implemented in order to remove corrupt and undisciplined personnel in the police service," Sinas said.
"Any member of the PNP who will be involved in corrupt practices will not be tolerated and will be immediately investigated and dismissed from the police service if found guilty under the PNP disciplinary mechanism or in the proper court of law," he added.
Sinas replaced PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan, who retired on November 10 after serving as PNP chief for about two months. (SunStar Philippines)