Police Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac is now the head of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) in another reshuffle in the Philippine National Police (PNP) that also affected five other senior officers.
From briefly leading the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR), Banac will take the helm of the APC-WM effective Tuesday, July 2. The position is expected to earn him another star, or a rank of Police Lieutenant General.
Banac served as chief of the PNP-Public Information Office, regional director of Police Regional Office 8, head of the Directorate for Plans, and the director of the Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management (DICTM).
He also served as the director of the PNP’s elite Special Action Force (SAF), a position that makes him fit to his new post, according to officers close to him.
Banac will take over the leadership of the APC-WM from Police Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo who was named as the new commander of the APC-Southern Luzon.
On the other hand, Police Maj. Gen. Mafelino Bazar will take over as the officer-in-charge of the DICTM.
Police Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, also a former PNP-PIO chief, was assigned as officer-in-charge of the DPCR.
The post that will be vacated by Alba at the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development (DHRDD).will be taken over by Police Brig. Gen. Jerich Royales.
Police Brig. Gen. Neri Vincent Ignacio, on the other hand, was named as deputy director of the Directorate for Comptrollership.