De Leon, the second in command as the PNP’s deputy chief for administration, is set to retire on Sept. 10 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
With the retirement of De Leon, the PNP’s third highest ranking officer — Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon — as Deputy Chief for Operation (DCO), will be moved up.
Calderon will be replaced by Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., the PNP’s Chief Directorial Staff.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said the replacement of Razon has yet to be disclosed by the powerful Senior Officers Promotion and Placement Board (SOPPB).
Aside from De Leon, two other ranking police officials — Director Quirino dela Torre of the PNP’s Directorate for Comptrollership and Chief Superintendent Reynor Gonzales of the PNP Maritime Group — are set to retire on Nov. 16 and Nov. 22, respectively.
PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao, who assumed office last March 14, said there would be no massive revamp in the police force next month.
Lomibao said he would merely fill all the positions that are vacated by the retiring police officials. — Cecille Suerte Felipe