‘Major reorganization’: PNP appoints new officials to key posts

The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched a “major reorganization” among its personnel in key offices following the retirement of senior officials.

In a statement on Sunday, January 31, the PNP said the retirements “prompted an upward movement of third-level officers to the higher echelon” in the directorial staff, police regional offices, and national support units.

The key appointments include Police Brigadier General Albert Ferro as acting director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He will replace Police Major General Joel Coronel, who retires on February 11.

Ferro headed the Central Visayas Regional Police Office from February to November 2020.

In September 2020, then-PNP chief General Camilo Cascolan initially replaced Ferro with Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo. But the PNP took back its announcement a day later and Ferro stayed on in Central Visayas.

It later turned out that the reversal was linked to the delayed appointment of now-PNP chief General Debold Sinas, insiders earlier told Rappler. It was Sinas who was supposed to succeed Archie Gamboa, not Cascolan, while Sinas’ Metro Manila post would go to Ferro. But since Sinas did not immediately get the top post after Gamboa, Cascolan reversed his order, the same insiders told Rappler.

Ferro also used to command the PNP’s Drug Enforcement Group and Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

Police Major General Dennis Agustin, meanwhile, will succeed Police Major General Amado Empiso as PNP director for intelligence. Empiso is set to retire on February 6.

“We are infusing new blood into the command structure to fill the void created by the retirement of some senior officials and ensure continuity of command,” Sinas said.

The other appointments include:

• Police Brigadier General Rodolfo Azurin Jr – acting director for information and communication technology management
• Police Brigadier General Domingo Lucas – acting director for research and development
• Police Brigadier General Antonio Yarra – deputy regional director for administration, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO)
• Police Brigadier General Benjamin Acorda Jr – deputy regional director for operations, NCRPO
• Police Brigadier General Florencio Ortilla – director, Aviation Security Group
• Police Brigadier General Emmanuel Peralta – regional director, Ilocos Region
• Police Brigadier General Celso Bael – deputy regional director for administration, Mimaropa
• Police Brigadier General Nelson Bondoc – district director, Northern Police District
• Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz – district director, Southern Police District
• Police Colonel Ronaldo Cabral – acting deputy regional director for administration, Northern Mindanao
• Police Brigadier General Walfredo Pornillos – deputy regional director for administration, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
• Police Brigadier General Jon Arnaldo – ex-o, Directorate for Intelligence
• Police Colonel Tellio Ngis-O – deputy regional director, Special Action Force
• Police Colonel John Guygoyon – acting ex-o, Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management
• Police Colonel Angeles Geñorga Jr – acting dean of academics, PNP Academy
• Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Llanera – director, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group
• Police Brigadier General Samuel Nacion – deputy director, National Police Training Institute
• Police Colonel Victor Wanchakan – acting deputy regional director for administration, Zamboanga Peninsula
• Police Colonel Victor Valencia – acting ex-o, Directorate for Research and Development
• Police Colonel Robert Gallardo – acting chief, Legislative Affairs Center, Directorate for Plans

– Rappler.com