PNP revamp to affect at least 28 senior officers

At least 28 senior police officials will be affected in the upcoming revamp in the Philippine National Police, a month after PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon assumed office last July 5.

The reshuffle was approved "in principle" by the Senior Officers’ Placement and Promotions Board (SOPPB), which saw the need to re-assign some key police officials from the directorial level.

The re-assignments, however, will not be implemented until after local government executives will make known their choice of police chiefs in their areas.

Based on the SOPPB recommendation, five key PNP posts are to be affected by the reshuffle.

These are the positions of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, the Directorate for Intelligence (DI), the Director for Logistics (DL), the Directorate for Crime Laboratory Service (DCLS) and the Directorate for Research and Development (DRD).

Directorate for Intelligence (DI) chief Director Reynaldo Varilla is reportedly being eyed to replace NCRPO chief Director Vidal Querol, who retires on Aug. 13.

Varilla’s replacement, on the other hand, would be Director Alejandro Lapinid, the current chief of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD).

Chief Superintendent Jose Salvacion, who was relieved from the DHRDD to pave the way for the entry of Lapinid, will likely be assigned to the Directorate for Logistics, replacing Chief Superintendent Noe Wong.

Wong, on the other hand, is being groomed as PNP comptroller, replacing Director Servando Hizon.

PNP Crime Laboratory Service director Chief Superintendent Ernesto Belen will be the next chief of the Directorate for Research and Development.

Belen will be replaced by Chief Superintendent Augusto Angcanan.

Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango, deputy chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), is eyeing the post of legal service chief.

CIDG deputy director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay might be re-assigned as regional director for the Ilocos.

In Metro Manila, the revamp will likely affect Northern Police District director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, who is also a top contender as Ilocos Region police chief.

Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan could be appointed as PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, replacing DIDM chief Director Marcelo Ele Jr. who is retiring in October.

Radovan’s deputy for administration, Chief Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, is being groomed to be the next Quezon City police chief.

PNP Aviation and Security Group director Chief Superintendent Andy Caro is set to replace Chief Superintendent Alfredo de Vera as PNP chief for Cagayan Valley. De Vera is set to retire next month.

Chief Superintendent Joselito Tan, on the other hand, is being groomed to replace Chief Superintendent Ricardo Quinto as Cagayan Valley police director while Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Doromal might be appointed head of PNP Region 4-A, replacing Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble who will retire next month.