Danao is PNP’s No. 4 man

MANILA, Philippines — Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. was promoted as chief of the directorial staff of the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday in another major reshuffle in the police force.

Danao, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, is now the fourth highest ranking official in the PNP.

With his new rank, Danao has supervision over the 11 PNP directorial staff in administering functional operations of all national support units and police regional offices.

Replacing Danao as director of the National Capital Region Police Office is Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad, who used to head the elite Special Action Force.

The reshuffle was triggered by the impending retirement of two ranking police officials.

Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, the PNP’s deputy chief for administration, opted to go on non-duty status (NDS) until his retirement on March 8.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro also went on NDS ahead of his retirement on March 5.

Replacing Vera Cruz as deputy PNP deputy chief for administration is Lt. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson. Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia occupied Dickson’s previous post as deputy chief for operations.

Danao, who is said to be among the so-called Davao Boys for his close ties with President Duterte, will retire on Aug. 10, 2023.

A total of 18 ranking police officials were affected by the latest revamp in the police force.