Maj. Gen. Michael John Dubria was designated Friday, Nov. 4, as the chief directorial staff (TCDS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the fourth highest position in the organization, in a new round of reorganization.
PNP Chief, Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. approved the new designation through a special order signed by Police Maj. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, the director for personnel and records management (DPRM) of PNP.
Dubria, who briefly served as chief of the Area Police Command in Visayas (APC-VIS), will replace Maj. Gen. Arthur Bisnar, who was transferred to the Office of the Chief PNP (OCPNP).
The Manila Bulletin reached out to the PNP to determine what role Bisnar will play at the OCPNP but was told that the public information office (PIO) is still gathering details.
The revamp stirred controversy since Bisnar is more senior than Dubria at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Bisnar is from the PMA “Bigkis Lahi” Class of 1990 while Dubria is a member of the PMA “Sambisig” Class of 1991.
Seniority, in the police parlance, pertains to an unwritten rule that police officers follow a career path where the rank that an official carry must be commensurate to his years of service and position in the organization. It is often followed to protect the organization from internal conflict and demoralization of personnel.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Patrick Villacorte will take over the vacated post of Dubria as chief of APC-VIS after serving as the head of the APC in Eastern Mindanao. The new head of APC-EM is yet to be chosen as of this writing.
The revamp came four days after Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia was reinstated by the PNP Chief as the PNP deputy chief for administration or second in command last Oct. 30.
Dubria took over from Sermonia as chief of the APC-VIS last Sunday.