Major shakeup in PNP looms

MANILA, Philippines - A major shakeup looms in the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the retirement of its number two man last Friday.

The position of Police Deputy Director General Perfecto Palad, PNP Deputy Director General for Administration, is now temporarily occupied by his mistah, Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino, who is the incumbent PNP Deputy Director General for Operations and concurrent commander of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force.

Palad and Belarmino belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 77.

“It would be Gen. Belarmino who will be taking over Gen. Palad’s post. He will be the number two man in the PNP,” a source said.

Once Belarmino’s designation as PNP Deputy Director General for Administration becomes permanent, his post, according to Camp Crame insiders, will go to Deputy Director General Raul Castañeda, the incumbent PNP Chief of Directorial Staff.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Director Nicanor Bartolome is slated to replace Castañeda, which, according to several sources, was in preparation for his ascension as PNP chief later this year.

Bartolome’s NCRPO post, on the other hand, will go to Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima, police commander in Central Luzon.