MANILA, Philippines - The retirement of three police generals triggered a reshuffle among nine police officials, the last movement in the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy for the year.
The reshuffle was approved by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
Chief Superintendent Ireneo Bacolod, head of the Civil Security Group (CSG), retired yesterday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Chief Superintendents Romeo San Diego, and Romeo Gatan, directors of the Police Regional Offices 8 and 1, respectively, opted to retire early to give way to younger police officials.
“San Diego and Gatan were scheduled to retire in January but they decided to retire early,” said a police official.
Bacolod, San Diego and Gatan belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ‘77.
Bacolod will be replaced by Chief Superintendent Franklin Alfabeto, the erstwhile head of the Headquarters Support Service (HSS) in Camp Crame, whose post would go to Chief Superintendent Rommel Heredia.
Gatan’s post would go to Chief Superintendent Jimboy Azares, of the Directorate for Operations, while San Diego will be replaced by Chief Superintendent Rey Lanada, head of the PNP’s Finance Service.
PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa would preside over the turnover of command for Azares’ assumption in PRO1’s top post in Ilocos Sur.
Director Eric Javier, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation South would move to the DIPO North while his post would be taken over by Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, former head of the PRO 4-A.
Palad’s post will go to Chief Superintendent Rolando Anonuevo, the erstwhile head of the Intelligence Group (IG), who will be replaced by his deputy Senior Superintendent Reginald Villasanta, of PMA Class ’81.
Azares is the lone appointee who is not a product of the PMA.
Javier is a member of the US West Point Academy Class ’77, Palad of PMA Class ’77, Alfabeto of the PMA Class ’78; Lanada, Heredia and Anonuevo of Class ’79. – Non Alquitran, Mike Frialde