By Aaron Recuenco
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has appointed a new head of its Aviation Security Group (ASG) in a minor reshuffle that was triggered by the retirement of a senior police official.
Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves was designated as the new head of the PNP-AVSEGROUP, replacing Brig. Gen. Arnel Escobal who was named as the new head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations- Eastern Mindanao.
The new designation of Escobal would earn him additional star in the rank since being head of the DIPO carries a two-star rank with it.
Escobal is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1987.
Nieves, a member of PNP Academy (PNPA) Class 1989, used to be the number three man of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The reshuffle was triggered by the retirement of Maj. Gen. Alfred Valdez who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Sunday.
The turnover of command will be on Monday.
The reshuffle came as the PNP leadership is now finalizing its performance assessment of all regional commanders and heads of National Support Units.
It was recalled that in October last year, a major reshuffle was implemented with the condition that their stay in their new positions would be determined by their performance within three months.
The three-month observation period will end on January 20.