9 police officials, including Marawi veterans, promoted

President Duterte has approved the promotion of nine officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), including those considered “heroes” of Marawi City for their exemplary courage and dedication as government troops fought it out with the Islamic State-inspired Maute group.

Among those promoted to chief superintendent as recommended by PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa was Rolando Anduyan, who received several awards for leading the police contingents as deputy regional director for police operations of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during the five- month long Marawi crisis.

Anduyan was a receipient of the Magalong medal, conferred on officials and employees of the government and private citizens who have rendered “extraordinary service or made exceptional contributions to the success of an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.”

Anduyan is the first member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ‘90 to be promoted to chief superintendent or one-star general.

Sources said Anduyan helped the military in tracking down and killing Isnilon Hapilon, top commander of the Abu Sayyaf group and Omarkhayam Maute of the Maute group, during a major operation in the besieged city.

Aside from Anduyan, other police officers promoted to chief superintendent were John Bulalacao of National Capital Regional Police Office; Rwin Pagkalinawan of the Cordillera Regional Police; Edwin de Ocampo of Western Mindanao (Provincial Regional Office 9); Carlito Feliciano of Western Visayas (PRO6), and Rey Lyndon Lawas of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD).

The President also approved the promotion of Chief Supt. Noli Talino of DHRRD to director (major general).

Noel Vallo and Segundo Lagundi Jr. were promoted to the third level rank of senior superintendent or an equivalent of full colonel in the military.

Dela Rosa said more police officials are expected to be promoted this year as a number of senior officers will retire in the coming months, including Director Augusto Marquez Jr. of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management and Chief Supt. Sheldon Jacaban of PNP Aviation Security Group.