Two of the contenders for the top post in the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been elevated to high positions in the latest reorganization triggered by the retirement of Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.
Police Maj. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia is now the number four man of the PNP as the Chief Directorial Staff. He assumed the post vacated by Police Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos who was named as Eleazar's successor.
As the Chief Directorial Staff, Sermonia will supervise the eleven PNP Directorial Staff in administering functional operations of all National Support Units and Police Regional Offices.
The post vacated by Sermonia was taken over by Police Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon who just recently assumed the leadership of the PNP-Civil Security Group.
Both Sermonia and de Leon are members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1989. They were considered as replacement of Eleazar but the Chief PNP post was given to Carlos.
The new designations take effect today, November 13, according to PNP spokesman Col. Rhoderick Alba.