Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr, a former Davao City police chief who is among the most trusted cops of President Rodrigo Duterte, is the next chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed this to Rappler in a text message on Tuesday, November 10.

Currently the Calabarzon police chief, Danao replaces Major General Debold Sinas, who is set to become the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday afternoon, following the retirement of PNP chief General Camilo Cascolan.

Danao is one of the so-called Davao boys – policemen who served in the Davao Region who have gained the favor and trust of the President, and have risen quickly among the ranks of the police force.

Most notably, Danao was the last local police chief that Duterte worked with before he won the presidency. Danao stood beside Duterte in 2015 when various high-profile personalities were urging the mayor to run for president, taking care of their security to and from the airport.

This is not the first time that Danao is serving in the NCRPO. Prior to his Southern Luzon post, Danao was the chief of the Manila Police District from May to October 2019.

Danao belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sambisig Class of 1991, bypassing many of his upperclassmen who are currently district directors of the NCRPO.

His appointment to a key post makes Danao a top contender for PNP chief, when Sinas retires in May 2021. – Rappler.com