12 officers from Davao benefit from PNP revamp

MANILA, Philippines -  Twelve senior police officers, most of whom are from President Duterte’s home province of Davao, have benefited from the latest revamp in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa announced the reshuffle last Friday, a few days after the retirement of PNP director for intelligence Nestor Quinsay and Southern Tagalog regional director Chief Supt. Valfrie Tabian.

For over 20 years, Duterte served as mayor of Davao City and he had direct supervision over the local police. Dela Rosa also served under Duterte as Davao City police chief.

A source said most of the 12 senior police officers who were given juicy positions through the revamp “have served in Davao City police.”

Sources said Quinsay was replaced by Chief Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1985.

“Pimentel reportedly has direct line to President Duterte, meaning he could call the President and the President calls him directly,” a source bared.

Pimentel’s classmate in PMA, Chief Supt. Robert Quenery, was appointed chief of the Aviation Security Group.

Chief Supt. Mao Aplasca, meanwhile, replaced Tabian. He was appointed as director of the Southern Tagalog Region. He is a member of PMA Class 1987.

Chief Supt. Eduardo Serapio Garado was appointed head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations Southern Luzon. He also came from PMA Class of 1985.

Dela Rosa’s three classmates in PMA Class 1986 were also given juicy positions.

They are Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb, appointed director of the Intelligence Group; Chief Supt. Charlo Collado, appointed director of PNP-Ilocos region; and Chief Supt. Edward Carranza as head of the Health Service.

Aplasca’s classmate, Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael, is now chief of the directorial staff of the National Capital Regional Police Office.

Senior Supt. Dennis Basngi is now deputy director of the Special Action Force (SAF), while Senior Superintendent Restituto Gatera is the deputy regional director for operations of Southern Tagalog Region.

Senior Supt. Manuel Abu is chief directorial staff of SAF, while Senior Supt. Vicente Danao is the chief directorial staff of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Danao is reportedly one of the police officers who in June 2014 arbitrarily detained for one week Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed member of the Davao death squad.