Cascolan denies men of ex-PNP chiefs targets of reshuffle

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Wednesday denied that "men of former PNP chiefs" have been the targets of the reshuffle in the police organization. 

"Actually, I had a lot of people under General (Oscar) Albayalde and General (Archie Francisco) Gamboa and I will tell you, they are at the right position right now. I promoted them, even the Chief of Staff... Ask the people around you," Cascolan told ANC. 

Cascolan said more than 11 police officers have been reshuffled since he assumed post as PNP chief. He admitted that one police officer had been "demoralized" because of the movement within the police organization. 

"If there was demoralization, there was only one or two persons... I think there's only one person who was demoralized because he was not able to understand the reorganization of the PNP," Cascolan said. 

"When you are reorganized, when you are assigned in a certain position, you just have to accept it and then ask why... It's not even a demotion or what... it's even a two-star position for him and he will also be a three-star then that's the DIPO... We need people who are snappy, good and has that moral ascendancy and at the same time, service reputation to lead the DIPO," he explained. 

Asked if he was referring to Central Visayas police chief Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, Cascolan answered in the affirmative. Ferro was supposed to be transferred as acting director for Integrated Police Operations in Southern Luzon. 

However, Cascolan decided to keep Ferro, whom he branded as his man, as Central Visayas police head: "Yes, he asked for it."

Midnight appointment

Meanwhile, Cascolan also bared that he had to cancel some appointments of his predecessor, retired police general Archie Francisco Gamboa.

"I have to cancel an appointment by the former chief PNP. It was a midnight appointment," Cascolan said. 

One of the appointments canceled was that of former PNP Health Service director Herminio Tadeo Jr. Cascolan said Tadeo was supposed to be transferred to Finance Service but he just placed him as deputy of the PNP's Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management. 

"It's really very hard to reshuffle, most especially if you're looking for people for the right position," Cascolan said. 

Promotion

In his two-month stint as PNP chief, Cascolan is also planning to recommend the promotion of at least five senior police officials to the rank of three-star generals. 

"Well, there may be immediately an additional of five three-star generals," Cascolan said. 

Cascolan, however, refused to divulge their identities as he would still discuss this with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año. —KG, GMA News