PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Director for Operations Major General Rhodel O. Sermonia yesterday hit people behind the spread of information that President Rodrigo Duterte has already appointed him as the successor of PNP chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar.

“This is to inform the public that this post never came from us. It is malicious and we take offense from whoever orchestrated this. We believe this is a work of saboteurs who wish to put malice on the President’s upcoming appointment of the new Chief PNP,” Maj. Gen. Sermonia said in a statement.

Prior to that, a picture of a supposed tarpaulin containing the words “Welcome President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Republic of the Philippines, Retirement Honors and Chance of Command Ceremony PGen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, Outgoing Chief PNP; PMGen. Rhodel O. Sermonia, Incoming Chief PNP” was posted in the PNP Press Corps and The Chief’s Media Friends’ viber group .

The presumptuous notice said the change of command ceremony will be held at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame on November 12 or Friday next week.

“To those who want to put in harm’s way the candidates for the top most position, I warn you that you will be held accountable for your crime. Already, I have asked the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate the source of this malicious posting in social media,” Sermonia said.

The social media post came shortly after photos of Sermonia having a one-on-one conversation with President Duterte in Palawan were posted on Facebook.

It also came a day after Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año revealed that he has submitted to President Duterte the names of five generals being considered to replace Gen. Eleazar who will mark his 56th birthday on November 13.

However, the DILG chief did not name names.

Prior to Sec. Año’s revelation, the Journal Group had reported that five names coming from three different PMA classes have been recommended to replace Gen. Eleazar.

Sec. Año previously said seniority and merit would be the basis of the presidential decision.

However, the President’s trust and confidence will be very crucial in his decision to designate his last PNP chief seven months before he leaves the Palace.

Gen. Eleazar was chosen by President Duterte because of seniority, merit, service reputation and competence.

Journal Group sources said two of the candidates are from the same class while another two belong to the same PMA class. The 5th is their upperclassman.

Sources said all of the five write the letters ‘A’ and ‘R’ in their full names.

All five candidates are highly-qualified and have proven their worth when it comes to serving the country with pride and honor.

The next PNP chief’s appointment will be crucial since he will not only be leading the organization’s war on drugs, criminality, terror and corruption but will be appointed at a time when the entire country is preparing for the 2022 national and local elections, specifically in preparing for the hotly-contested presidency.

Officials said the next PNP chief has to live up to the challenges of good leadership while meeting the high expectations of the general public who have watched Gen. Eleazar’s leadership.

Since the start of the Duterte presidency in July 2016, four members of PMA ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986 have led the PNP in succession starting from now Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa, Gen.

Oscar D. Albayalde, Gen. Archie Francisco F. Gamboa and Gen. Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan. The four commanded the PNP for a combined four years-and-a-half.

The 5th PNP chief designated by President Duterte was Gen. Debold M. Sinas, a classmate from PMA Class 1987 of Gen. Eleazar, who became the 26th PNP chief last May 8.

Retired police generals said the top cop must possess the competency and integrity to handle the job as he will be answerable to both the PNP’s internal and external audience.

He should also have the dogged determination to do the job, the needed track record and service reputation, a ton of contribution to the country’s peace and order campaign, and most importantly, the loyalty to the Constitution and the duly-constituted authorities.

If seniority were to be the basis of the presidential decision, the most logical successors to Gen. Eleazar would be members of his Command Group — his mistahs from PMA Class 1987 PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lieutenant Gen. Joselito M. Vera Cruz who will retire on March 8, 2022; PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Israel Ephraim T. Dickson (retiring on March 27 next year); and PNP Chief Directorial Staff Lt. Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos, a member of PMA ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988 who will retire on May 8, 2022.

The other contenders are three members of PMA Class 1989 namely Maj. Gen. Sermonia; PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director, Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Dt. Ferro; and new PNP Civil Security Group director, Brig. Gen. Valeriano T. de Leon.

Sermonia will retire on January 26, 2024; Ferro will retire this coming March 5; while de Leon will retire on May 7, 2023.

Last but not the least are the President’s most trusted police generals from Davao City, all members of PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 namely National Capital Region Police Office director Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr.; Police Regional Office 11 director Brig. Gen. Filmore B. Escobal; and newly-appointed PNP Director for Intelligence Brig. Gen. Michael John F. Dubria.

Danao will retire on August 10, 2023; Escobal on November 5, 2023; and Dubria on December 20, 2024.