PNP monitoring field commanders

MANILA, Philippines - Police field commanders found remiss in their duties and responsibilities will be relieved of their post.

Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., Philippine National Police deputy chief for administration, said a continuous evaluation of the performance of field commanders would be made to keep them in fighting shape against criminals and other threats to national security.

“Those performing below par would be relieved,” he said over the weekend.

Rojas and 10 senior police officers were among those affected in a major reshuffle following the retirement of Deputy Director General Ager Ontog and Director Cipriano Querol Jr., the Directorate for Intelligence (DI) chief.

Director Francisco Uyami Jr., Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, was transferred to the Directorate for Research and Development (DRD), and Director Alex Monteagudo, from the Directorate for Operations (DO) to the Directorate for Human Research and Doctrine Development (DHRDD).

The DRD and DHRDD are considered positions of “lesser significance” than the CIDG and DO.

Superintendent Agrimero Cruz was relieved from his post after a number of his chiefs of police were caught underreporting crimes.

Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan, formerly assigned at the office of Interior Secretary Manuel  Roxas II, replaced Cruz, who is now reporting at the office of Director General Alan Purisima.

Rojas said he and Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr., directorial staff chief, are now working to fill the vacated regional positions.

A big number are applying for the position of Ilocos region police director that Chief Superintendent Ric Marquez had vacated. Marquez replaced Monteagudo.