Torre’s first revamp: 29 PNP officials get new posts

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-nine senior Philippine National Police officials got new assignments in the first major revamp implemented by PNP chief  Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

In an order issued yesterday, Torre reassigned 21 generals and two colonels to new positions in the PNP.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said there are vacancies that need to be filled following Torre’s appointment.

Bangsamoro police commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz will be the new chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which was previously headed by Torre.

The PNP has a new chief anti-narcotics officer in Brig. Gen. Edwin Quilates, who assumed leadership of the police Drug Enforcement Group.

Maj. Gen. Alexander Morico II, the most senior PNP official, was promoted as director of Area Police Command in the Visayas.

Morico previously headed the Directorate for Research and Development (DRD).

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas was reassigned to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) as deputy director for administration.

Replacing Lucas as Calabarzon police director is Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, the former director of the Western Visayas police.

Taking over Wanky’s post is Brig. Gen. Rogelio Penones.

Brig. Gen. Glicerio Cansilao is the new chief of the Anti-Kidnapping Group while Col. David Poklay was reassigned to the Intelligence Group from the AKG.

Col. Felix Verbo Jr. was reassigned to the National Police Training Institute.

The other brigadier generals who got new assignments are Christopher Abecia, Maritime Group; Jonas Amparo, PNP Retirement and Benefits Administrative Service; Jason Capoy, Aviation Security Group; Martin Defensor Jr., Finance Service; Noel Vallo, Logistics Support Service; Arnold Abad, NCRPO; Ross Alvarado, DRD; Randy Arceo, NCRPO, and Joseph Arguelles, Davao police.

Former Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Melecio Buslig Jr. was reassigned to the Mimaropa police.

The other brigadier generals given new assignments are Jaysen de Guzman, Bangsamoro police; Josefino Ligan, Ilocos police; Dindo Reyes, Cagayan Valley police; Rolindo Suguilon, Northern Mindanao police; Warren Tolito, PNP Academy; Frankie Candelario, Directorate for Intelligence; Lou Evangelista, Directorate for Logistics; Antonio Marallag Jr., Directorate for Operations; Jerry Protacio, Information Technology Management Service; Arnold Evangelista, NCRPO, and Leon Victor Rosete, Office of the chief PNP.

With more senior police officials retiring in the coming months, Fajardo said the public should expect another reshuffle in the PNP.

One-minute response challenge

Meanwhile, Metro Manila police officers have been challenged to respond to crimes and emergencies in just one minute.

The challenge was ordered by National Capital Region Police Office director Gen. Anthony Aberin.

Aberin is confident that his men can further reduce waiting times in responding to crime.

“During simulation exercises, we have responded in less than three minutes,” Aberin said yesterday during the turnover ceremony at the Southern Police District.

Brig. Gen. Randy Ygay Arceo was named SPD acting director, replacing Arguelles who will serve as acting director of the Police Regional Office 11 in Davao. –  EJ Macababbad