OUTGOING Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar urged the 222,000-strong police on Wednesday, November 10, to rally behind his successor, Lieutenant General Dionardo Carlos, who will formally assume office on Friday, November 12.
“The President has decided, now is the perfect time for the PNP to express our unity and solidarity behind the chain of command as we welcome a new leader who will ensure continuity of command in our organization,” Eleazar said in a statement.
“General Carlos possesses all qualifications for the position, and President (Rodrigo) Duterte found him tailor-fit for the criteria he wants for the chief PNP. General Carlos has this position cut out for him based on his seniority, track record and professional competence,” he added.
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Eleazar said as the chief of the PNP directorial staff, or the fourth in command of the PNP, Carlos had been instrumental in promoting the PNP flagship reform agenda of Intensified Cleanliness Policy by ensuring timely and hands-on implementation of actionable programs by PNP units.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said they expect Carlos to hit the ground running and further boost efforts, particularly in the anti-illegal drugs campaign, fighting criminality and in ending communist and armed conflict across the country.
Carlos is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class 1988.
He is highly trained in special police operations, particularly in crisis management and response, urban counter-revolutionary warfare, counter-hijacking, explosive ordnance disposal, VIP security and anti-terrorist operations.
Among the police units he led were the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (Dipo) in Visayas, Police Community Relations (DPCR), Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM), Highway Patrol Group, Aviation Security Group, Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas, and the police offices in Negros Oriental and Quezon province.
READ: Eastern Visayas cops vow support to next PNP chief
Carlos also served as the PNP spokesperson.
He is holding a master’s degree in Management from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Philippine Christian University (PCU).
Carlos will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on May 8, 2022. (SunStar Philippines)