The police colonel who responded and ended the hostage-taking incident inside Camp Crame involving former senator Leila de Lima was promoted to one-star general in the mass promotion in the Philippine National Police (PNP) involving 53 other senior officials.
Brig. Gen. Mark Pespes, head of the PNP Headquarters Support Service at Camp Crame, led the promotion of 21 Police Colones to Brigadier General.
Pespes was the one who shot dead one of the three inmates of the PNP Custodial Center who held de Lima hostage in October, which led to the ending of the histage drama and ensured the safety of the former senator.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said eight other senior officials were promoted to the rank of Major General, led by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Jonnel Estomo; Bernard Banac, head of the Directorate for Logistics; Jon Arnaldo, director for Human Resource and Doctrine Development; Mario Reyes, director for Police Community Relations; Eric Noble, director of the PNP Academy; Ritchie Posadas, deputy commander of the Area Police Command-Southern Luzon; Emmanuel Peralta, director for Operations; and, and Edgar Alan Okubo, director of the PNP's elite Special Action Force.
On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, commander of the Area Police Command-Southern Luzon, was promoted to three-star rank, or Lieutenant General
Abalos urged the newly-promoted officers to help in the government’s intensified war against illegal drugs.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said 24 PNP officials were also promoted to the rank of Police Colonel.
“This is a very good Christmas present to our policemen, that finally, their promotion came out,” said Azurin.