HPG names Rommel Batangan as new acting director

Police Brigadier General Rommel Batangan is the new acting director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Highway Patrol Group (HPG), according to police officials.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño and HPG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang confirmed to GMA News Online that PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. picked Batangan for the post.

This was after the resignation of former HPG acting director Police Brigadier General Jessie Tamayao who is facing an administrative complaint over alleged sexual harassment.

A female member of the HPG filed a five-page sworn complaint against Tamayao before the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

The complainant is seeking Tamayao's dismissal from service for alleged violations of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 and the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

In a statement, Tamayao denied the allegations and vowed to cooperate in the investigation to clear his name.

"I want to state, in the clearest and most categorical terms, that I am innocent of these charges. I have always conducted myself with the utmost professionalism and respect for my colleagues and the public I serve," he said.

"I firmly deny the allegations. I can only deduce this is a personal vendetta the reason of which I am not aware," he added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News