Sinas names Vera Cruz as new JTF COVID Shield commander

Philippine National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas on Wednesday named Police Lieutenant General Joselito Vera Cruz as the new commander of Joint Task Force COVID Shield.

Vera Cruz will replace Police Lieutenant General Cesar Hawthorne Binag, who is set to retire on April 24 and whose designation has been terminated April 20, Tuesday.

Effective Tuesday, Vera Cruz was designated as the Deputy Chief for Operations and Task Force Commander of the enforcement arm of the national government in the implementation of quarantine rules and health protocols, the PNP said.

"As the new commander of this task force, I expect PLtGen Vera Cruz will continue the plans and programs of the previous commander and enforce strict quarantine rules in the country to mitigate the spread of the virus while waiting for the available vaccines", Sinas said in a statement.

According to the PNP, the JTF COVID Shield is composed of members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News