Eleazar named PNP OIC; Sinas goes into isolation

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the number two man of the Philippine National Police, took over as officer-in-charge on Friday after PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas, contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The PNP also said Friday it is tracing police personnel and civilian employees who were in close contact with Sinas. Eleazar said the PNP Health Service is now checking personnel of units visited by Sinas from March 9 to 11.

“Based on the guidance of our Chief PNP, General Debold Sinas, all our personnel who made close contact with him must be checked as a matter of protocol and for their health safety and the safety of their family,” Eleazar told reporters.

He said the PNP, through the Public Information Office headed by Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, has already coordinated with the PNP Press Corps for contact tracing of all its members who attended an activity with Sinas last March 10 in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Eleazar said he would attend to the affairs of the police force temporarily until Sinas recovers from the disease.

“Right now, the Chief PNP is doing well, and I am in constant communication with him for consultation, especially on matters that require his attention and guidance,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar noted that he and the rest of the PNP are praying for the full recovery of Sinas, who was also his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987.

In a statement, Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-B (Mimaropa) director, Brig. Gen. Pascual Muñoz Jr., also ordered an immediate contact tracing of all PNP personnel including civilian personnel and other guests during the command visit of Sinas to their headquarters on Thursday.

Currently, Muñoz is now under quarantine after having close contact with Sinas.