PRESIDENT Duterte has designated Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. as officer in charge (OIC) of the PNP, vice retiring Gen. Dionardo Carlos, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año announced yesterday.
Danao will assume command of the 225,000-strong police force in rites at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame today, two days before Carlos reaches the retirement age of 56.
Malacanang expects Danao to lead the police force into a “more dynamic and more professional organization” during his stint as OIC.
“We are confident that General Danao will continue efforts to transform the PNP into a more dynamic and more professional organization performing its mandate of serving and protecting our people,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
Danao is currently the acting deputy chief for operations, the third highest post in the PNP. He assumed that post just last Monday, in concurrent capacity as the PNP chief of directorial staff, the PNP’s fourth highest position.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1991, Danao previously served as the National Capital Region Police Office director, director of the Calabarzon regional police office, and director of the Manila Police District.
He also served as chief of the Davao City police station from 2013 to 2016 when President Duterte was still the mayor of the city.
“He is a very capable man, a workaholic also and I can attest that he is also a man of integrity,” Año said of Danao. “Let us welcome him and let us support him to do his job.”
Año said Danao is taking command of the PNP today because Carlos’ 56th birthday falls on a Sunday.
“It’s advisable that Gen. Danao assumes (command) before weekend so that the preparations for the May 9 election will be smooth,” he said.
A former Armed Forces chief, Año worked with Danao when he was still in the military service. Año was the commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division operating in the Davao region when Danao was Davao City police chief.
Año asked Danao to exert all efforts “to ensure that the (May 9) election will be peaceful, orderly, and honest. I want him to lead the PNP to do everything, to do their best to make sure (of that).”
In a statement, Año said Danao’s assumption as PNP officer in charge is “pivotal and timely,” noting the coming election.
“As OIC of the PNP, Danao’s first order of the day is to ensure that all security preparations are in place and all police units are mobilized and on alert so that the country will have a peaceful, orderly, and honest elections,” said Año.
As the acting PNP deputy chief for operations, Danao heads the PNP National Security Task Force on National and Local Elections.
Año said Danao “is more than cut out for the job of ensuring a safe and peaceful elections as he has been involved in the planning and security preparations for the elections since Day 1.”
Año said Danao’s designation will not affect the continuing PNP preparations for the elections “as he will be able to provide good leadership and direction to the entire police force for them to be able to fulfill their peacekeeping role in this important time of our country’s history.”
