MANILA – Another reorganization looms in the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to the impending retirement of more senior officers in the coming weeks.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Deputy Chief for Operations, Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria, the PNP’s third highest official, will retire on December 20, while PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil will retire February 7 next year.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, chief of the Area Police Command (APC)-Southern Luzon, bowed out from the service on Monday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Estomo was replaced by former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia.
Hernia and Anti Cybercrime Group chief Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga were administratively relieved from their posts on November 7, in connection with alleged irregularities in the October 29 raid of a suspected scam hub in Manila.
Among the issues raised were allegations of extortion and tampering of the security camera by PNP officers.
Cariaga was reassigned as commander of APC-Northern Luzon.
“The investigation has already been completed and they are just finalizing the documentation and with the findings and recommendations of the committee created for the purpose will be submitted to the proper authorities. However, since may mga nag-retire na mga senior officers (some senior officers retired), the PNP leadership deemed it wise to place Gen. Hernia particularly to the position vacated by Gen. Estomo,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the PNP leadership decided to designate Hernia and Cariaga to these posts “while waiting for the final disposition as to their status.”
She added that these positions were commensurate to the competencies and qualifications of the two officials.
On Monday, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, former director of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, officially assumed the acting director post of the NCRPO, replacing Hernia.
During simple rites at the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, Aberin said he would introduce programs and strategies aligned with the focus on a relentless campaign against all forms of criminality, strengthen resolve in the fight against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators in coordination with relevant government agencies, and work hard to serve the public to foster a culture of collaboration innovation.
He believed that in order to carry out the task, Metro Manila cops need to get back to basics and concentrate on crime prevention and solution.
“I want every men and women of NCRPO to be an “AAA” policeman. Everyone must be Able, Active and Allied police officers. I also urge all the members of NCRPO for aggressive police visibility. We must be seen and felt by the public. Our attentiveness to the needs of our community will make them feel that they are utmost priority which further promotes trust and confidence and [that we are] ready to respond to any eventualities that may arise,” Aberin said during his inaugural speech. (PNA)