P-Noy OKs 10 PNP execs’ promotion; only 1 from PNPA

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has approved the promotion of 10 police officials, only one of whom is a Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduate. 

Chief Superintendent Rey Tang of the Philipine National Police Internal Affairs Service became a one-star general in a simple ceremony at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame yesterday. He is a member of PNPA Class 1984.

The other nine officials are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy. Leading the pack is Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, chief of the PNP’s directorial staff, who received his third star. He is a member of PMA Class 1981.

Other promoted officers include PNP director for operations Director Ricardo Marquez (PMA Class 1982) and Director Benjamin Magalong (1982), head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

During the same ceremony, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima administered the oath of office to seven officials promoted to the rank of chief superintendent: Allen Bantolo (PMA Class 1983) of the National Capital Region Police Office; Alberto Supapo (1984), Police Regional Office 6; Keith Ernald Singian (1983) of the Police Regional Office 13; Moro Lazo (1984) of the Police Regional Office 1.

Also promoted to one-star general were Chief Superintendents Napoleon Taas (PMA Class 1984), director of the Information Technology Management Service; Danilo Pelisco (1984) of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Visayas.

Purisima recommended the latest round of promotions. His recommendation was endorsed for Aquino’s approval by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Over the weekend, Roxas criticized the patronage system in the PNP, saying there should be a “level playing field” in the promotion and assignment of officers in the police force.

He issued the statement in the wake of the alleged bitter rivalry in the PNP between PMA and PNPA graduates.

The graduates of the PNPA claimed they were being left out in the promotion, selection and appointment of key officers when they pass through the PNP Senior Officers Promotion and Placement Board, whose members are all PMA graduates.

Under Republic Act 6975, which created the PNP and the PNPA in 1991, PMA Class of 1992 became the last batch of military graduates to enter the PNP and will serve in the PNP until 2026, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Last year, PMA alumni revived the effort to allow the re-entry of PMA graduates into the PNP. A group of PMA graduates is urging both Purisima and Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista to endorse to Aquino a draft executive order allowing PMA graduates into the PNP service and the Philippine Coast Guard.