Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the number two man of the Philippine National Police (PNP), took over as officer-in-charge on Friday after its chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Following the unfortunate incident wherein our Chief PNP, Gen. Debold M. Sinas, tested positive for coronavirus, I was designated as the OIC (officer-in-charge) PNP as a matter of protocol,” Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for administration, told reporters.

He said he would attend to the affairs of the police force temporarily until Sinas recovers from the disease.

“Right now, the Chief PNP is doing well and I am in constant communication with him for consultation, especially on matters that require his attention and guidance,” Eleazar said.

He noted that he and the rest of the PNP are praying for the full recovery of Sinas, who was also his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987.

“Amid this development, the PNP leadership renews a call for members of the organization and the general public to continue strictly observing health safety protocols. The threat of coronavirus remains and in fact, we have been observing an upsurge of Covid-19 cases in the past days as reported by the DOH (Department of Health). Thus, we should all be vigilant for our protection, and the protection of our families,” Eleazar said.

On Thursday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said Sinas tested positive for Covid-19 based on his latest reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.

Sinas took a swab test for his supposed trip to Palawan on Friday.

However, he immediately went on isolation upon learning of the test result.