PNP undergoes ‘major’ revamp

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday announced a shakeup in key positions, following the recent controversies hounding the force.

Under the leadership of PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, a total of 21 movements among the PNP lineup, covering national and regional levels, were made effective Sunday, October 20. 

This constitutes the first round of a "massive" reorganization of senior officials that is being conducted "in view of the retirement of some senior police officers," the PNP said in a statement.

The movements involve two Police Major Generals (PMGEN), 17 Police Brigadier Generals (PBGEN), and two Police Colonels (PCOL).

• PMGEN Mariel M Magaway - Director, Directorate for Intelligence
• PMGEN Amador V Corpus - Director, Human Resource and Doctrine Development
• PBGEN Joel Napoleon M Colonel - Acting Director, Criminal and Investigation Detection Group
• PBGEN Leonardo M Cesneros - OIC, Police Regional Office 3
• PBGEN Nicerio D Obaob - Acting Regional Director, PRO 4B
• PBGEN Ferdinand O Divina - Acting Regional Director, PRO 8
• PBGEN Dionardo B Carlos - Acting Director, Highway Patrol Group
• PBGEN Marcelo C Morales - Acting Director, Police Security and Protection Group
• PBGEN Filmore B Escobal - Acting Regional Director, PRO 11
• PBGEN Angelito A Casimiro - Acting Regional Director, PRO 2
• PBGEN Edward E Carranza - Acting Director, Logistics Support Service
• PBGEN Vicente D Danao Jr. - Acting Regional Director, PRO 4A
• PBGEN Bernabe M Balba - District Director, Manila Police District
• PBGEN Arnel B Escobal - Acting Director, Aviation Security Group
• PBGEN Anthony S Alcañeses - Acting Regional Director, PRO 5
• PBGEN Joselito M Daniel - Acting Director, Police Community Affairs and Development Group
• PBGEN Rhodel O Sermonia - Deputy Director, Directorate for Police Community Relations
• PBGEN Tomas C Apolinario Jr. - Deputy Director, Directorate for Intelligence
• PBGEN Albert Ignatius D Ferro - Acting Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO 5
• PCOL Romeo M Caramat Jr. - Acting Director, PNP Drug Enforcement Group
• PCOL Ronald O Lee - Acting Director, Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group.

The shakeup was approved by Gamboa, based on the endorsement of the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board.

The latest development comes after Police General Oscar Albayalde earlier this month let go of the reins of the PNP, following controversies surrounding his term.

Albayalde has been accused of having been involved in a drug operation by the Pampanga police in 2013 in which a suspected drug lord was supposedly set free in exchange for P50 million.

He has since denied allegations that he was involved in any way with the operation, and that he intervened in the implementation of a dismissal order on the 13 police officers involved. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News