Bearis relieved after 2 months: PRO-7 gets new director

CEBU, Philippines —  Amid the ongoing manhunt operations against the remaining suspects in the massacre of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight other victims, Brigadier General Jerry Bearis has been relieved as regional director of the Police Regional Office-7 effective yesterday, March 17, 2023.

The national headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame issued a special order relieving Bearis and other ranking police officials from their current assignments.

Bearis has swapped post with Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin.

 Bearis has only been in office for more than two months as PRO-7 chief. He assumed his post in Central Visayas on December 20, 2022, replacing Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba, who was then transferred to Camp Crame.

As PRO-7 regional director, Bearis had been on top of the manhunt operations against the killers of Degamo and eight others in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental on March 4, 2023.

At least four suspects have already been arrested, one was killed, and several others remain at large and are subject of a continuing manhunt by the joint forces of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Camp Crame was quick to clarify that the reshuffling was a normal movement of key officers following the retirement of some senior officers. 

“It’s a normal movement of key PNP officers triggered by the retirement of some senior PNP officers po,” said Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson.

The incoming PRO-7 director belongs to Class ’93 of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and a classmate of Bearis. As of press time, there has been very limited information available on the personal circumstances and professional records of Aberin.

Other ranking police officials affected by the reshuffling are Brig. Gen. Joel Doria of the Anti-Cybercrime Group and Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia of PRO Mimaropa. Doria and Hernia also switched posts.

Maj. Gen. Oliver Enmodias was also relieved from the Area Police Command (APC) Northern Luzon (NL) and reassigned to the Directorate for Research and Development. He will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar of PRO Cordillera. Brig. Gen. David Peredo Jr. of PRO 5 (Bicol) will now head the PRO Cordillera.

Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo of APC-Eastern Mindanao was transferred to PRO 11 (Davao), while Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr. of PRO 11 will now head the Civil Security Group.

Lt. Col. Romeo Macapaz of the Office of the Deputy Chief for Operations will replace?Brig. Gen. Andrew Cayad as head of Intelligence Group, who will take the helm of the Directorate for Operations. —  FPL (FREEMAN)