Manila Police District reshuffles station commanders

MANILA, Philippines – Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, who was finally designated as director of the Manila Police District (MPD) this week, reshuffled six of the city’s 11 police station commanders yesterday.

In simple ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the MPD headquarters, Magtibay said the revamp, which was approved by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, has been in the works since last month but could not be implemented since he was only an officer-in-charge then. Under the Philippine National Police law, an OIC is not empowered to designate police officials at the station levels.   

In previous interviews, Magtibay said he will base the revamp of his staff on their individual performance and Lim’s rating.

Former police and community relations chief Superintendent Roderick Mariano will take over the command of the Raxabago, Tondo police station in place of Superintendent Ernesto Tendero Jr., who will assume the command of Sta. Cruz police station.

Ermita police station chief Superintendent Rogelio Rosales Jr. was named chief of the Moriones, Tondo police station, while Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula will replace him.

Superintendent Rolando Tumalad will assume the Malate police station chief, vice Superintendent Ferdinand Quirante, who will head the MPD’s mobile patrol group whose commander, Superintendent Rizaldy Yap, is the new traffic chief.

Former operations chief Superintendent Ernesto Barlam will take over Pandacan police station from Superintendent Abad Osit, who will sit as chief of the MPD’s Logistics Division. Its former head, Superintendent Ernesto Fojas, is the new chief of the MPD’s Intelligence Division.

The MPD’s operations division is now headed by Superintendent Francisco Gabriel Jr.

The chiefs of the Sampaloc, Sta. Ana, Jose Abad Santos, Sta. Mesa and Meisic police stations were retained in their posts. Magtibay said a revamp at the headquarters support units will follow in due time. – Nestor Etolle