PNP puts key officials under probationary status

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa clarified on Monday, October 21, that all key positions in the national police agency covered by the major revamp will be under probationary period for three months.

“All leaders must take full responsibility in the entire implementation process of all our law enforcement campaigns. In relation to this, I have ordered the massive revamp beginning at the National Headquarters down to the Regional levels. We expect fresh ideas, fresh enthusiasm and fresh resolve from commanders at all levels to carry their share of weight in our campaign against illegal drugs and internal cleansing on steroid,” he said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

“Each one will strictly be held accountable for what his or her unit does or fails to do. Beginning today, all key positions are under probation for three months. And all promotions will be on hold. And I will make sure the ax will fall where it should if these leaders will not deliver results,” he added.

Gamboa has ordered the reorganization of senior officials in the PNP effective October 20, following the retirement of some senior police officers. President Rodrigo Duterte approved the revamp.

As an OIC, Gamboa does not have the power to implement such movement but he was given such ability by the National Police Commission.

Among those who were re-assigned were Major General Amador Corpuz, the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who was named acting director for Directorate Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD), replacing Major General Mariel Magaway who was assigned as the acting director of the Directorate for Intelligence (DI).

Corpuz was replaced by Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 Brigadier General Joel Coronel who will be replaced by Brigadier General Leonardo Cesneros.

Brigadier General Tomas Apolinario, the regional director of Mimaropa police, was designated as acting deputy director of DI, while Brigadier General Nicerio Obaob from the Bicol Regional police office will replace the latter.

Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos of the Eastern Visayas Regional Police Office will be the acting director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) replacing Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz, who will be assigned as the acting deputy director of the CIDG.

Carlos will be replaced by DI director Brigadier General Ferdinand Divina.

Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of Drug Enforcement Group (DEG), will now be the acting regional director of Bicol regional police office. He will be replaced by Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) Colonel Romeo Caramat.

Colonel Ronald Oliver Lee from the Central Visayas regional police office will be the IMEG acting director.

The CIDG deputy director, Brigadier General Bernabe Balba, will be the district director of Manila Police District (MPD). He will replace Brigadier General Vicente Danao who was assigned as the acting director of the Calabarzon regional police office.

Danao replaced Brigadier General Edward Carranza, who was designated as director of Logistics Support Service (LSS), replacing Brigadier General Abellera Casimiro, who will be the acting regional director of Cagayan Valley regional police office.

Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) director Brigadier General Filmore Escobal will be acting Davao Police Regional Office director. He will be replaced by Brigadier General Marcelo Morales from PRO-Davao.

Switching posts were Brigadier General Anthony Alcaneses, the director of Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) and Bicol Region Police Office director Brigadier General Arnel Escobal as well as Deputy Director of Police Community Relations Brigadier General Joselito Daniel and Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) director Brigadier General Rhodel Sermonia.

Gamboa approved the movements based on the endorsement of the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board.

He said that by January 21, the PNP will re-evaluate all those who were assigned to new positions.

"I demand that not only the Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group but equally so all the Regional and Provincial Directors as well as the Chiefs of Police to lead in rooting out and destroying this menace. I expect no less," Gamboa said.

Gamboa was assigned as the PNP OIC after PNP chief Oscar Albayalde relinquished his post and went on non-duty status following his implication in the issue on ninja cops or policemen involved in recycling of illegal drugs.

(Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)