Massive PNP revamp seen

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. warned of a massive reorganization affecting regional and provincial police commands nationwide after President Arroyo’s proclamation in June, if she gets a full, six-year term.

Ebdane informed his subordinates of the impending revamp during a command conference Tuesday. The PNP chief was quoted by officers present at the conference as saying there will be a movement "before the year ends."

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao said any reorganization is just part of the routine movement of officers in the police force. "A reshuffle is normal in an organization," he said.

Goltiao, in effect, confirmed the impending reorganization and said this reshuffle stems from changes in the government structures of various city, provincial and gubernatorial local executives who won in the recent elections. "There will be requests for new police chiefs," he said.

Whether or not Ebdane will be relieved before his mandatory retirement, sources said the reshuffle will be implemented because of the "dismal performance" of some regional and provincial police officers during the May 10 elections.

While the PNP leadership insisted on remaining neutral during the elections, sources told The STAR that the failure of some regional police directors to "ensure the victory of President Arroyo" in their respective areas of jurisdiction may cost them their posts.

However, Goltiao said the command conference only focused on the performance of police officers during the elections. Ebdane also lauded all regional police chiefs and heads of the PNP’s national support units for the conduct of "relatively peaceful" elections.

Ebdane was reportedly "happy" over the performances of Western Visayas regional police director Chief Superintendent George Aliño, Central Visayas chief Director Ricardo Garcia and Cagayan de Oro regional police director Chief Superintendent Nicolas Pasinos. The President won over her rival, Fernando Poe Jr., by a large margin in these areas.

The performance of the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon (Calabarzon) under Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Vatilla and other regional commanders were also under evaluation. — Christina Mendez