2 previously relieved senior cops get new posts

MANILA, Philippines — The two senior police officials who were previously relieved from their posts following a raid on a suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Manila have been given new assignments.

Former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia has been designated as commander of the Area Police Command (APC) Southern Luzon, according to an order from the Philippine National Police headquarters last Friday.

In the same order, former Anti-Cybercrime Group chief Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga, has been appointed as head of the APC Northern Luzon.

The officials could get promoted as the two positions are for three-star generals.

The new assignments took effect yesterday.

Hernia and Cariaga were both administratively relieved after supposedly mishandling the raid by joint teams from the NCRPO and ACG on Century Peak Tower on Oct. 29.

Hernia was replaced at the NCRPO by Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, the erstwhile director of the Central Visayas police.

Meanwhile, the ACG remains without a full-time director.