PNP clarifies: Reshuffle not related to Duterte's anti corruption drive

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) spokesperson Dionardo Carlos clarified Thursday, January 18, that the mass reshuffle of senior police officials is a regular procedure caused by the retirement of some officers.

Carlos said the reshuffle is not in any way related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement against alleged corrupt officials as well as their alleged involvement in illegal activities.

He said the reshuffle stemmed from the retirement of some senior police officials including Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) director Augusto Marquez.

Twelve ranking officials from the police headquarters down to the regional offices were relieved from their current assignments effective January 18 and reassigned to other units.

Among those who were transferred were Police Director Noli Taliño who will be assigned to the Special Action Force (SAF) from the Directorate for Human Resource Doctrine and Development (DHRDD).

Taliño will replace Police Director Benjamin Lusad who will be reassigned to Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) Southern Luzon, the post which will be vacated by Police Director Eduardo Garado, who will be assigned to the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR).

Taking the place of Taliño was DIPO-Western Mindanao Police Director Cedrick Train who will be replaced by DPCR director Noel Constantino.

Police Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor of the Police Regional Office (PRO) Mimaropa will exchange posts with Directorate for Operations chief Police Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Licup.

Police Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery of the Police Region Office 2 will be transferred to PRO 7 while its police chief Jose Mario Espino will be reassigned to PRO 10.

Police Regional Office 10 head Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb will be transferred to PRO 2.

PNP health service director Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza will be transferred to the Police Regional Office Cordillera while its current chief, Chief Superintendent Francis Elmo Sarona, will be heading the DIDM.

Carlos said 40 senior police officers will be retiring within 2018 which will prompt another reshuffle. SunStar Philippines