DILG: Reported reshuffle of PNP generals 'just recommendations' for now

A reshuffle involving key officials is underway in the Philippine National Police (PNP), with police generals recommended for key positions, including National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the reassignments of the officials are "currently just recommendations" subject to the approval of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

“Linawin lang natin na may prosesong kailangang sundin. Ang listahan ng mga napiling opisyal ay isusumite sa NAPOLCOM para sa kumpirmasyon,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said.

(Let’s clarify that the process should be followed. The list of the selected officials will be submitted to NAPOLCOM for confirmation.)

“Kung makumpirma ng NAPOLCOM, mapupunta 'yung listahan sa Pangulo para sa kanyang pag-apruba,” he added.

(If the NAPOLCOM confirms it, the list will be forwarded to the President for his approval.)

Reassignments

Based on the order received by reporters and confirmed by PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, PNP Directorate for Intelligence (DI) chief Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. will be the new acting NCRPO director.

Nartatez will replace Police Major General Edgar Alan Okubo, who will be the new chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR).

DPCR chief Police Major General Mario Reyes will take over the Directorate for Logistics, while Police Major General Jon Arnaldo will replace Nartatez as the new DI chief.

Police Brigadier General Ronald Oliver Lee, meanwhile, will be the new chief of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD), replacing Arnaldo.

Major General Eric Noble, director of the PNP Academy (PNPA), will be new head of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).

Police Brigadier General Samuel Nacion will be the acting PNPA director, while Police Brigadier General Alan Nazarro of the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM) will be the acting director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

Civilian control

According to Abalos, Sec. 6 (3) (f) of NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2019-001 provides that “[t]he assignment/designation of the [concerned positions] shall be submitted to the Commission for confirmation prior to the submission of the same to the President for approval.”

He added that NAPOLCOM’s authority on this matter stems from the 1987 Constitution.

“Civilian control over the police is a hallowed principle of our fundamental law. Rest assured that the NAPOLCOM will carry out its duty to oversee and enhance the administration of the PNP,” Abalos said.

For now, Fajardo said the current positions of the concerned officials will be maintained.

“Let's wait for the official announcement kung kailan  ire-rescedule yung (if when will be the new schedule for) formal assumption of office and turnover of positions,” she told reporters.

“But until such time meron na pong schedule, yung mga concerned officers po (But until such time that there is already a new schedule, the concerned officers) will remain in their current positions,” she added.

A turnover ceremony was supposed to be held at Camp Crame on Tuesday morning, but it was moved to 4 p.m. and then eventually cancelled. —KBK, GMA Integrated News