DOH confirms appointment of former PNP chief Cascolan

The Department of Health (DOH) over the weekend confirmed the appointment of former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Pancratius Cascolan to the agency.

In a statement, the DOH said it received the appointment papers of Cascolan and of lawyer Charade Mercado-Grande, who services as OIC-Undersecretary of Health/Assistant Secretary of the Health Regulation Team, but did not elaborate.

“[W]e will make available the assignments of our Execom members to you as soon as available,” the DOH said Sunday evening, in response to queries regarding their assignments.

Cascolan served as the co-author of the Oplan Double Barrel, which focused on high-value targets under the deadly war on drugs set forth by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Just days ahead of his retirement in November 2020, Cascolan said he was open to a new government post. He was then appointed as undersecretary of the Office of the President in February 2021. — BM, GMA News