Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Debold Sinas has designated Lieutenant General Joselito Vera Cruz as the new head of Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID-19 Shield, replacing Police Lieutenant General Cesar Hawthorne Binag who is set to retire on April 24.

Vera Cruz – who was recently named PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, the third highest position in the police force – took over the concurrent post on April 20, the PNP said.

JTF COVID-19 Shield is the government’s enforcement arm in the implementation of quarantine rules and health protocols.

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The JTF COVID-19 Shield is composed of personnel from the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection. 

Prior to his designation as Deputy Chief for Operations, Vera Cruz served as Chief of Directorial Staff.

In 2020, Vera Cruz was designated as the head of the PNP Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management after serving as chief of the Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao.

Vera Cruz belongs to the ruling Philippine Military Academy Hinirang Class of 1987, along with Sinas, his predecessor Binag, and PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar. 

Vera Cruz is considered as among the top contenders for PNP chief, as Sinas is due to retire on May 8. – Rappler.com