SOME names now begin to surface as among those in the running as the end of the stint of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar draws closer.
In my humble opinion, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr., current head of the National Capital Region Office (NCRPO), is most qualified to assume the top PNP post once Eleazar’s time is up. Not only because of his sterling background and performance in every post he held but also because I know for a fact that he is one officer who will never compromise his principles.
While serving as Director of the Manila Police District (MPD), then mayor Erap Estrada accused barangay chairman Jim Adriano of sabotaging his administration by throwing feces in gutter drainage, a charge vehemently denied by Adriano himself who said it simply defies logic for him to fill his own backyard with shit. Adriano was highly identified with the late Mayor Fred Lim who was then Estrada’s political rival.
When interviewed if he shared Estrada’s accusations, Danao said no, flatly. He also was emphatic that he was not going to agree just because the mayor said so.
What Danao did -openly going against the mayor and not parroting him- is something not every chief of police has the balls to do. So if only for that, I take my hats off to him.
As for his qualifications, Gen. Danao has specialized training in intelligence operations, counter-terrorism, investigation, VIP security, and even in finance and logistics.
For more than 20 years, he held various high positions in the Davao City Police such as station commander, operation officer, battalion commander, logistics officer, and city director. He was also chief of the counter-intelligence and deputy director for operations at the CIDG and his most significant accomplishments include transforming Davao City into one of the safest cities in 2015 and even worldwide when he was Davao’s PNP director.
Under his leadership at MPD, Manila was hailed as the 43rd safest City Worldwide for 2019. He was also highly instrumental in the success of Mayor Isko Moreno’s city-wide clearing operations.
During Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s term in Davao, Gen. Danao served in different police stations especially in the areas known for being crime-prone. There, his stint was highlighted by numerous significant accomplishments such as the rescue of a kidnap victim and the subsequent arrest of the three suspects behind it.
In his Davao Anti-Drug campaign, drug pushers were neutralized, and shortly before he got transferred to Manila, he was able to solve another kidnapping case. The victim was rescued and the suspect was arrested.
In his early career when no one wanted to be assigned to Davao and Surigao because of active rebel groups there at that time, Danao readily accepted the assignment and managed to work things out to make Surigao and Davao among the safest destinations for tourists.
In fact, as a testament to the successful leadership shown by Danao as city director in Davao, a community there with 7,000 residents decided to name their place as ‘Barrio Vicente’, as they said they will be forever thankful to the Duterte-Danao tandem that made Davao into what it is today.
Similarly, Danao also made a mark in Manila via his known reputation against oppression and heinous crime offenders. As a strict crimebuster, he always prioritized the security, protection, and welfare of the poor Manilenos.
A hands-on general, Danao also headed and directly supervised all police operations especially now at the NCRPO and all drug operations are now on the right track.
Under his leadership, ‘tanim-droga’, ‘palit-puti’, ‘agaw-bato’ or ‘hulidap’ have become things of the past and human rights are strictly protected. Internal cleansing is a continuing thing along with the campaign against all forms of criminal groups, illegal gambling, loose firearms, terrorism, and ‘most wanted persons.’
Gen. Danao is also the only regional director who upped the funds for the police which is now at P1,500 per capita per head and this trickled down to the police stations and police community precincts. He also helps provide financial assistance to policemen who get sick, die or become victims of calamities like fire.
By caring for his fellow officers and subordinates, Gen. Danao merely hopes that future officials will pay it forward.
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Jokjok (from Rodante Sta. Maria of Intramuros, Manila)
Misis: Babes, bakit ang dumi-dumi mo at ang baho mo pa?
Mister: Nakita mo ba yung maliit na imburnal sa kanto naten?
Misis: Oo, baket? Ano kinalaman nun?
Mister: Puwes, ako hindi ko nakita! Okay?!
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