Key PNP officials reshuffled

MANILA, Philippines — A week after new leadership was installed following the exit of its former chief, the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday underwent a major reshuffle of key officials in various positions nationwide.

At least 20 ranking positions, including the posts for the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) and Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), were filled in a series of new orders signed on Oct. 19, and which took effect yesterday with the approval of Malacañang.

The orders for new designations were issued by the acting Chief of Directorial Staff, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, and became effective by command of PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.

Gamboa said this was the “first round of a massive revamp” that encompassed positions from the national headquarters down to the regional level. He added that the reorganization of senior officials is in line with the retirement of some senior police officers.

The lone casualty of the revamp was Maj. Gen. Timoteo Pacleb, chief of the Directorate for Intelligence, who was placed on floating status.

The new head of the CIDG is Brig. Gen. Joel Coronel, the former director of Police Regional Office 3. The officer-in-charge for PRO-3 is Brig. Gen. Leonard Cesneros.

Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus, former head of CIDG, was designated director for Human Resource and Doctrine Development.

Other new key assignments include Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway as director for Intelligence, Col. Romeo Caramat as acting director for the PDEG, and Col. Ronald Oliver Lee as acting director for the IMEG.

Brig. Generals Angelito Casimiro, Edward Carranza, Vicente Danao and Bernabe Balba were designated as acting regional director of Region 2, director of the Logistics Support Service, Calabarzon regional director, and Manila Police District director, respectively.

Meanwhile, Brig. Generals Joselito Daniel and Rhodel Sermonia were designated as acting director for the Police Community Affairs and Development Group and Directorate for Police Community Relations, respectively.

Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales was designated as acting director of the Police Security and Protection Group, while Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal was transferred to the Police Regional Office 11 as acting regional director.

Among the new regional directors are Brig. Gen. Nicerio Obaob for PRO-4B, Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Divina for PRO-8, and Brig. Gen. Anthony Alcaneses for PRO-5.

The new acting director for Aviation Security Group is Brig. Gen. Arnel Escobal.

Brig. Gen. Tomas Apolinario was designated as deputy director for the Directorate for Intelligence.

Brig. Gen. Albert Ferro was designated as acting deputy regional director for administration of PRO-5.

The newly installed officers were expected to win back the trust and confidence of the public after accusations linking Gamboa’s predecessor, Gen. Oscar Albayalde and his 13 men, to recycling of seized drugs when the latter was still Pampanga police director in 2013.

Albayalde, on terminal leave, retires on Nov. 8.

During yesterday’s command conference, Gamboa claimed that the reshuffle of police officers was done in accordance with the prevailing PNP rating system and based on the endorsement of the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board. – With Non Alquitran