8 PNP generals to assume new posts

MANILA, Philippines - Eight generals, including three who are said to be close to President Aquino, were named yesterday to fill key positions in the Philippine National Police (PNP) command structure vacated by officers who retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa made the announcement in a statement issued yesterday. Verzosa, during an interview with some reporters Friday night, said the Senior Officers Placement and Promotions Board (SOPPB) has yet to submit its recommendations.

Among the more controversial movements in the PNP is that of National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Roberto Rosales, who is identified with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was assigned to head the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Northern Luzon, replacing Director Raul Castañeda.

Rosales is a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class ’78 whose most prominent member, Delfin Bangit, opted for early retirement as Armed Forces chief last June.

The Arroyo administration reportedly wanted to replace Verzosa as PNP chief with Rosales.

Rosales is set to relinquish his post tomorrow to Director Leocadio Santiago, erstwhile head of the Special Action Force, the PNP’s fighting unit, in a ceremony at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said the new designations were approved by Verzosa and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, who is concurrent National Police Commission chairman.

Verzosa said the latest revamp was triggered by the retirement of some senior PNP officials, creating vacancies in key positions in the command group, directorial staff, national support units and police regional offices.

Some police officials told The STAR that at least three of the eight star-rank police officials who benefited from the reshuffle are considered close to Mr. Aquino.

Castañeda will be the chief of the Directorate for Intelligence (DI), replacing Director Eugene Martin, who opted to retire a few days before his 56th birthday on Aug. 7.

Central Luzon Police Regional Office (Region 3) director Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac Jr., who has been at his post for only a few months, was replaced by Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima. Cacdac is now the head of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.

Chief Superintendent Arnold Revilla is now the director of the Eastern Visayas Police Region, replacing Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Lañada, who assumed his post as head of the Directorate for Comptrollership. Lañada took over the position vacated by Director Romeo Hilomen, who reportedly opted to retire months before his 56th birthday.

SAF is now headed by Chief Superintendent Catalino Uy.

The PNP spokesman said the new designations took effect yesterday as more than 40 star-rank officials are due to retire this year upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 years old.