Lobbying delays PNP revamp

A police general reportedly close to a Malacañang official has derailed a major revamp at the Philippine National Police (PNP) after he was able to have his tour extended as regional director of Luzon’s industrial hub.

Reportedly with backing from a top Malacañang official, Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Varilla has been "indefinitely" retained as commander of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) police force.

The STAR tried to get Varilla’s side, but police officials close to him said he was in a meeting and could not be disturbed.

Varilla’s action has derailed the appointment of Chief Superintendent Arturo Lomibao as Calabarzon police commander, and Chief Superintendent Jesus Verzosa as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director.

Varilla was reportedly "buying time" to avoid being placed on "floating" status.

Last week, PNP chief Director General Edgar Aglipay said Varilla will be named to the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management on Nov. 30 after the retirement of Director Eduardo Matillano.

Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said yesterday’s scheduled turnover of command from Varilla to Lomibao at Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna has been postponed.

A source said they were just following orders from Director Enrique Galang, PNP directorial staff chief, for the postponement of the turnover rites.

A memorandum dated Sept. 14 showed that the orders were based on a telephone call from the deputy director of personnel and resource management at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

On the other hand, a police official close to Varilla denied that the police general had exerted efforts to have himself retained as Calabarzon police commander. — Christina Mendez