PNP Chief Sinas visits Cebu, OPAV welcomes, thanks him

CEBU CITY – Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) through its Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino welcomed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas as he visited Cebu for a thanksgiving and courtesy call to Secretary Dino prior to his other engagements in Cebu, Friday November 20 this year.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma officiated the thanksgiving mass for General Sinas.

Dino who praised General Sinas for his well-deserved promotion also thanked the PNP Chief for choosing Cebu as the venue for his thanksgiving.  General Sinas proved that performance-based achievements enabled him to reach the top PNP position, Dino added.

"I have worked with General Sinas and his promotion gives me so much happiness knowing what he can do for his organization.    He was one of the best officials that we had in the Visayas and with this promotion, I am positive that he has our back," Dino stated.

Sinas was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new PNP chief on November 9.  He was assigned to Police Regional Office (PRO) Central Visayas back in July 2018 before he took over the National Capital Region Police Office in October 2019.

Government officials and the local media whom Sinas worked with had expressed positive feedback following his promotion.  Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella described Sinas as a dedicated official to public service.

“Congratulations on your appointment as new PNP Chief, MGen. Debold Sinas! Prior to your appointment as NCRPO Chief, you served Region VII and I am a testament to your dedication to public service. Your appointment is well deserved,” said Labella.

Sinas and Mayor Labella were worked together during the stint of Labella as the Vice Mayor of the City and during his transition as the Mayor of Cebu City.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, who was the former Chairman of Cebu City Police Advisory Council (CCPAC) also praised Sinas for his innovativeness especially during the Sinulog festival celebration.

"Your crowd control template surrounding the Basilica during the Senior Sto. Niño Celebrations is a reminder to us Cebuanos of your innovativeness.  Kudos to the new PNP Chief P/Major General Debold Sinas," Garganera sid.

Sinas who is known to have controversies with national media has a very good relationship with Cebu media.  Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) President and Tri-media Journalist Arnold Bustamante said that Sinas' appointment is a welcome development as far as maintaining harmonious relationship between the police and Cebu media is concerned.

Bustamante added that during the time of Sinas as PRO 7 director he demonstrated professionalism in his dealings with the Cebu media, particularly the police beat.

"He kept the lines of communication open that enabled us to deliver information that the public needed to know in a timely manner.” Bustamante hopes that Sinas continues to honor the role of the media in shaping a better and peaceful community.

Sinas is known for his witty charm which many described as the father of "Voltes V" of the PNP.  (Photos: OPAV/Herty Lopez)