Over 70 PNP senior officers reshuffled, controversy sparks over 'demotion' on revamp

Aug 9, 2022 12:20 PM

Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered a massive reshuffle involving more than 70 senior officers that also include those occupying top positions in the police organization.

For instance, Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr., the number three man of the PNP being the Deputy Chief for Operations (DCO) who also served as the PNP officer-in-charge for three months, was booted out of his post and re-assigned as director of the Area Police Command- Western Mindanao.

The same happened to Police Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, the number 2 man of the PNP as the Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA), who was designated as the director of the Area Police Command-Visayas.

The reassignment of both Danao and Sermonia is deemed as a demotion in the position.

Named as Danao’s replacement to the DCA post is Maj. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. while Police Maj. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo was named as Sermonia’s replacement.

Police Maj. Gen. Arthur Bisnar, on the other hand, replaced Malayo as the PNP’s Chief of the Directorial Staff (TCDS).

The reorganization of the top positions in the PNP is considered as a bold move on the part of Azurin because traditionally, those occupying the Number 2, 2 and 4 posts in the PNP are no longer re-assigned to other positions outside the Command Group.

The Command Group is composed of the Chief PNP, DCA, DCO and TCDS.

Can it be done?

The reshuffle of those in the Command Group, and other positions, stirred up a hornets’ nest as some of them were reportedly complaining of the “demotion.”

Police sources, however, said that the reshuffle of the Command Group is possible for as long as the positions involve the same rank.

“The placement is based on rank and not on position. Further, there is no exclusivity nor a security of tenure as to the Command Group or any other positions in the PNP. Police officers actually serve at the pleasure of the Chief PNP, or the Commander-In-Chief (President),” a highly-reliable source told the Manila Bulletin.

In the case of Danao and Sermonia who are both Police Lieutenant General, the Area Police Command commander post is also a three-star rank position.

The Area Police Command used to be called the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) and is a two-star rank position. But recently, it was renamed Area Police Command and its commanders are given a three-star rank.

Sources said those in the Command Group, particularly the DCA, DCO and TCDS posts, used to be untouchable positions since there are no other three-star rank posts in the PNP before. This, however, changed when the APCs were created.

Currently, there are five other three-star posts in the PNP—as head of the APC for Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Eastern Mindanao and Western Mindanao.

“When the APCs were made three-star, these possibilities, which are now happening, have been foreseen by those who are keen on placement,” the source told the Manila Bulletin.

“In making policies, the makers should always be wary of possibilities and evaluate whether it would bring more or good rather than bad,” the source added.

Career growth

In a statement, PNP chief information officer Police Brig. Gen. Roderick Agustus Alba said the reshuffle aims to provide opportunities and career growth.

“At the same time, this move shall strengthen and empower strategic offices and units with the placement of more seasoned and experienced senior officers at their helms to further hone the operational and administrative undertakings against criminality, enforcement of the law, and maintenance of peace and order," said Alba.

New Metro Manila police chief

Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo was named as the new Regional Director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), replacing Police Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad who was named as the new director of the Area Police Command-Northern Luzon.

Estomo used to be the head of the Anti-Kidnapping Group and the Police Regional Office 5 before he was assigned to the APC Southern Luzon.

Police Col. Jaysen De Guzman was named as the new director of the Quezon City Police District. He replaced Police Brig. Gen. Remus Medina who was assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

Police Col. Kirby John Kraft was designated as the director of the Southern Police District while Police Col. Wilson Asueta as the new director of the Eastern Police District.

Police Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon was named as the new Manila Police District director, replacing Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco who was designated as the new Regional Director of Police Regional Office 6.

Police Col. Ponce Peñones, on the other hand, is now the director of the Northern Police District.

New Regional Directors

Police Brig. Gen. Belli Tamayo—Police Regional Office 1

Police Brig. Gen. Cesar Pasiwen—Police Regional Office 3

Police Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr.,-- Police Regional Office 4A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon)

Police Brig. Gen. Rudolph Dimas-- Police Regional Office 5

Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco—Police Regional Office 6

Police Brig. Gen. Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil—Police Regional Office 8

Police Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsañgan—Police Regional Office 9

Police Brig. Gen. Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop—Police Regional Office 10

Police Brig. Gen. Jamili Macaraeg-- Police Regional Office 12

Police Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon—Police Regional Office- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

Police Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar—Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region

Other star positions

Police Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee was assigned as the new director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). He replaced Police Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz who was named as the new director of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.

Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor was named as the Deputy Director for Administration of the CIDG.

Police Maj. Gen. Michael John Dubria now heads the Civil Security Group while Police Maj. Gen. Domingo Lucas is the new head of the National Police Training Institute (NPTI).

Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon was named as the new head of the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology while Police Maj. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr. was named as the new head of the Directorate for Comprollership.

Police Maj. Gen. Alessandro Abella was named as the new director of the Directorate for Research and Development while Police Brig. Gen. Leumar Abungan is the new head of the Supervisory Office on Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA).

Police Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda now heads the Directorate for Intelligence, Police Brig. Gen. Andrew Cayad now leads the Intelligence Group, Brig. Gen. Jon Arnaldo as the new director of the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development and Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay as head of the Directorate for Personnel Records and Management (DPRM).

Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac is now the head of the Directorate for Plans, a position that would earn him his second star along with Police Brig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo who now heads the Directorate for Logistics.

Police Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque was moved to the Directorate for Comptrollership, Police Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta as the new head of the Directorate for Operations, Police Brig. Gen. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum to the DHRDD and Police Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra to the Directorate for Intelligence.

Police Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding was designated as the new head of the PNP Finance Service while Police Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque to the Directorate for Comptrollership.

Brig. Gen. Randy Peralta-PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief to e Police Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) under the Directorate for Police Records and Management (DPRM)

‘Action’ posts

Police Brig. Gen. Narciso Domingo, who used to head the Police Regional Office 3, was designated as the PNP’s head of the Drug Enforcement Group. He replaced Police Brig. Gen. Randy Peralta who was also assigned to PHAU.

Police Brig. Gen. Joel Doria now heads the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).

Police Brig. Gen. Clifford Gairanod was assigned to head the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) while Police Brig. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo was named as the new director of the PNP’s elite Special Action Force (SAF).

Police Brig. Gen. Constancio Chinayog Jr was moved to the PNP-Forensic Group while Police Brig. Gen. Ulysses Cruz was named as director of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group.

Police Colonel Rodolfo Castil Jr. was named director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group while Police Col. Paul Kenneth Lucas as chief of the Firearms and Explosive Office.

Police Colonel Anthony Aberin, on the other hand, was assigned to the PNP Aviation Security Group.

Academy and Training

Police Brig. Gen. Eric Noble was named as the new director of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) while Police Brig. Gen. Joaquin Alva is the PNPA’s acting deputy director for Administration.

Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III was designated as the PNPA’s Commandant of Cadets.

Meanwhile, Police Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Cabral was assigned as the new director of the PNP Training Service.

Area Command posts

Police Maj. Gen. Patrick Villacorte was named as the acting director of the Area Police Command Eastern Mindanao; Police Major General Filmore Escobal as acting deputy commander of the Area Police Command Visayas, Police Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo as acting Executive officer APC, Western Mindanao; and, Police Brig Gen.Arthur Cabalona- Acting Deputy Commander APC, Eastern Mindanao

Police Brig. Gen. Oliver Enmodias was named as acting deputy commander APC, Northern Luzon; Police Brig. Gen. Chito Bersaluna as acting executive officer, Area Police Command Eastern Mindanao; and, Police Col. Reynaldo Tamondong as acting executive officer APC, Northern Luzon.