(May 3, 2021) – The country’s top cop said he has no legacy to leave behind ahead of his mandatory retirement this week because the law enforcement programs he implemented six months ago were a continuation of his predecessors’ projects.
General Debold Sinas, head of the 200,000-strong national police, will turn 56 years old on Saturday, the mandatory retirement age for police officers.
Sinas said he was “not fond of legacy,” preferring to leave quietly.
“Our leadership here is not based on personality but based on established directives, guidelines, and protocols,” Sinas told reporters during his last press briefing as police chief.
“Wala man akong maisip na legacy. What I can say is we have done our best that answers the challenges of the day. We are very happy that despite the big challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re able to give the basic police services to our community.”
Sinas served as the National Capital Region Police Office chief a year before he was named national police chief in November.
Many were surprised over his appointment because he jumped over more senior police generals.
He was embroiled in some controversies, including the May 2020 “mañanita” birthday celebration despite strict lockdown in the capital.
Sinas’ birthday feast was criticized for violating mass gathering and physical distancing protocols at the height of the lockdown in the country.
Human rights groups criticized what they called a “double standard” in implementing protocols after the police officers involved were not punished for attending the celebration.
Close to 135,000 quarantine violators, on the other hand, have been arrested from March to November, according to figures from international watchdog Human Rights Watch.
President Rodrigo Duterte has already picked the next police officer to succeed Sinas, according to his spokesman Harry Roque, but he did not disclose the particular person chosen.
Last week, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año recommended only one name to the next top police position.
“I already submitted to the President my recommendation for the next Chief PNP upon the retirement of PGen Debold Sinas through NAPOLCOM Resolution No. 2021-0469. The recommendation has only one name. But the President has the prerogative also to choose anyone with a rank of at least PBrigadier General in the PNP force,” Año said.
Sinas, for his part, did not comment on the possibility of being appointed to another government position, leaving his options open after retirement.
General Camilo Cascolan, his immediate predecessor, was appointed as an undersecretary of the Office of the President in February.
“I will just have to rest, settle everything,” Sinas said. “Kung anuman ang gusto ni Presidente, susundin namin. As of now, I will not comment muna to be consistent. At saka hindi ko rin alam e.”
(Beatrice Puente/MM with reports from Pat Mangune, News5)
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