Newly-appointed chief of the Philippine National Police, Police Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, vowed on Friday, Nov. 12, to deliver the final blow against illegal drugs operations in the country through what he called as Double Barrel Finale “Version 2021”.
“We will implement even more strongly our Enhanced Managing Police Operations Programs against criminality and our Double Barrel Finale “Version 2021” against illegal drugs. We will improve these programs as necessary and introduce reforms as needed as we strive to make more potent these tools against crime and illegal drugs,” Carlos said in his speech during the turnover of commands held at Camp Crame on Friday, Nov. 12.
The turnover of command was presided by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año as representative of President Duterte.
The formal assumption of Carlos as the 27th Chief PNP will earn him his fourth star. Unlike in the military that the appointment to top military posts needs the nod of the Commission on Appointments, the top post in the PNP does not need so.
He took over the helm of the 222,000-strong PNP from Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar who is set to reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Saturday, Nov. 13 but the turnover was scheduled a day early.
Eleazar was known for the implementation of the Intensified Cleanliness Policy which starts with ensuring that all police stations and community precincts are clean and presentable.
In his speech, Carlos vowed to continue its implementation: “The Intensified Cleanliness Policy of General Eleazar will remain in high gear. Every problem regardless of its severity will be addressed with the same attention and intensity.”
He also assured the continuity of the fiscal transparency and accountability which he said was initiated by former PNP chiefs Archie Gamboa and Debold Sinas.
A skydiver and recsue diving expert, Carlos vowed to continue the physical fitness program of the PNP.
“And while we continue to reform as we perform, we will give a much needed boost to the PNP’s physical fitness program, the PNP Body Mass Index Program will be your personal or individual responsibility to stay fit because our job needs us to be fit,” said Carlos,
“It will not however bar you from your promotion and undergoing a schooling. Our men and women need to be in top physical shape as we continue to do our share as frontlines in addressing the pandemic,” he added.
Carlos is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class 1988. He will serve as the Chief PNP until May 8, 2022.