MANILA (UPDATE) -- Controversial Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas "deserves" a promotion, the new head of the Philippine National Police said Wednesday, as he mulled movements in the 200,000-strong law enforcement agency.

Gen. Camilo Cascolan, who was tapped as PNP chief this month, said Sinas "has done good things."

"We have to evaluate him properly. The guy deserves also an evaluation and of course, a promotion, too," the PNP chief told ANC.

"I think he has to be up at the Directorial Staff or a certain position that is for most especially for him... He is an expert most especially with regard to training of personnel and training of recruits," he added.

In May, Sinas drew public ire over a mañanita or pre-dawn birthday serenade at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City that allegedly violated the 10-people limit on gatherings to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. President Rodrigo Duterte refused to sack Sinas, even while Luzon was, at the time, still under strict lockdown.

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Sinas in July also made headlines over his viral confrontation with the family of a retired officer that he and his men asked to leave from a government compound in Taguig City.

Asked to clarify if Sinas would be removed from the National Capital Region Police Office and transferred to a training post, Cascolan said, "Not really that way."

"There’s still a lot of directorial staff or other positions that fit him. We will evaluate him properly, I will evaluate him properly," he said.

CALABARZON CHIEF AS SINAS REPLACEMENT?

Cascolan said he was considering Calabarzon police chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. to replace Sinas at the NCRPO.

"He is doing good. He did his best and he’s done good in PRO-4A. He has a reputation in the service and he is a very competent person, too," the PNP chief said.

ABS-CBN sources say Danao, a former chief of the Manila police, might also be transferred to the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

"Whether it's CIDG or NCR, it's good. But I would rather choose him for NCR because he's better in leading the NCRPO," said Cascolan.

Both Danao and Sinas are "capable of leading men... [and] capable of giving accomplishments," he added.

CASCOLAN DEFENDS PNP RESHUFFLE

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Cascolan succeeds police Gen. Archie Gamboa, who retires Wednesday after nearly 8 months as PNP chief. Before this, Cascolan was deputy chief for administration of the police.

Cascolan said he earlier reshuffled 11 or 12 PNP officials due to the retirement of some of their colleagues. He said he also transferred 2 or 3 officers so he could put “the right person for the right job.”

"We need people that are snappy, good and has that moral ascendancy, and at the same time, service reputation to lead," he said.

Cascolan said he also cancelled a “midnight appointment” by Gamboa concerning the PNP's health service. He declined to name the officials involved, saying they were "also a victim.”

"I don’t have people that I choose. They’re all my people. I am a father and brother to all of them," he said.

"All officers come and go. They know for a fact that when we have already served and we are being assigned for promotion, that will be good for us and we always follow orders."