Despite figuring in the bruising "mañanita" controversy that led to criminal and administrative complaints against him, Major General Debold Sinas is rising to power as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Sinas’ appointment was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, November 9, during his regular Malacañang press briefing.
Roque said Sinas’ appointment will take effect on Tuesday, November 10.
Sinas succeeds his upperclassman, General Camilo Cascolan of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986, who is set to retire on Tuesday.
Sinas, a Butuanon who belongs to the PMA Hinirang Class of 1987, is the first appointment by President Rodrigo Duterte to the PNP's top post outside the powerful 1986 class.
In appointing Sinas, Duterte set aside the order of succession in the police command.
Sinas is set to jump to the top spot, surpassing incumbent second-in-command Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar and incumbent third-in-command Lieutenant General Cesar Binag, who were both his classmates at the PMA.
Police sources told Rappler that Sinas has Duterte's backing thanks to his former colleague Royina Garma, one of the President's most trusted police officials whom he has since appointed as the chief of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Favored despite the flak
Duterte chose Sinas despite controversies that caused public outrage against the police and the government.Sinas most notably gained infamy in May 2020 when he celebrated his 55th birthday at the Metro Manila police headquarters, Camp Bagong Diwa, with subordinates surprising him with an early morning party.
The photos of the party showing Sinas and other police officials violating quarantine rules on physical distancing and mass gatherings came right from the Metro Manila police's public information office. The event was later reported by the media.
The controversy led to the PNP filing criminal and administrative complaints against Sinas and 18 others.
Sinas' tenure as Metro Manila police chief was also marred by incidents of police abusing quarantine rules. He defended the cops until enough pieces of evidence surfaced against them.
Sinas, Duterte's 5th police chief, is set to retire on May 8, 2021, when he turns 56, the mandatory age of retirement for uniformed personnel. – Rappler.com