By Jennifer P. Rendon and Glazyl Y. Masculino
Buzzer-beater?
Hours before the start of the election period, the Philippine National Police leadership initiated a revamp that affected a number of field commanders all over the country.
During the election period, which starts Jan 9 and ends June 8, 2022, movement of officers are not allowed, unless authorized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In Western Visayas, four police provincial directors were relieved from their posts.
These include Colonel Romy Palgue of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO), Colonel Gilbert Gorero of Iloilo PPO, Colonel Pablito Asmod, Jr. of Guimaras PPO, and Colonel Roy Parena of Antique PPO.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 spokesperson, said Colonel Leo Pamitan will replace Palgue while Colonel Alexander Mariano will take over Antique PPO.
Both Pamitan and Mariano were reportedly from the PNP national headquarters.
Pamittan was formerly assigned to Capiz Provincial Police Office, while Palgue’s new assignment has yet to be revealed.
Colonel Adrian Acollador of the PRO-6’s Regional Operations Division will be assigned to the IPPO and Colonel Richard Baluis, outgoing chief of the PRO-6’s Regional Comptrollership Division, will replace Asmod.
Solis said all incoming commanders are designated as acting provincial directors.
When asked what triggered the movement, Solis said it’s a decision undertaken by the higher command “for the good of the service.”
There is one thing common, though, among those who were relieved: they have been in their posts for more than a year already.
There were reports that PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos has ordered the relief of commanders who have been in their post for more than a year already.
It was not known what triggered the movement. Others surmised that it would justify the relief of some commanders in areas where the PNP, or the administration, wanted to put their own men.
Some claimed it would pave the way for Carlos-allied personnel to hold a position.
Early last week, reports had it that Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, Western Visayas police chief, already talked to the governors of the affected police provincial offices and relayed the information.
The PRO-6 Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division (RPHRDD) didn’t receive the order around late afternoon or early evening of June 8.
Solis said he has yet to see the order for the designation of affected provincial directors.
Meanwhile, there were reports that Colonel Laudemer Llaneta of Capiz PPO will also be part of the relief. However, he had been designated at Capiz PPO for just over five months.
Llaneta said being a provincial director would not be considered in the “exclusive” position of the PNP ladderized program unless he had been in his post for at least six months.
That’s why, his relief might be handed later. Reports said he would be relieved effective Jan 19.
Solis said that movement of personnel might still be done under the existing Comelec guidelines.
RIPPLES IN NEGROS OCC
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here welcomed its new head over the weekend.
Based on the memorandum from the Philippine National Police (PNP) issued last Saturday, Police Colonel Romy Palgue was relieved as Nocppo director effective January 8, 2022.
Palgue was replaced by Police Colonel Leo Pamittan as acting provincial director of Nocppo.
Pamittan was formerly assigned to Capiz Provincial Police Office, while Palgue’s new assignment has yet to be revealed.
The movement was in line with the guidelines and procedures in securing the conduct of the elections this year.
Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, Nocppo’s information officer, said that police directors who rendered more than a year of tenure was relieved to avoid familiarity.
Before Palgue’s exit from Nocppo, 10 police chiefs were reshuffled in the province last Saturday.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Baybayan was relieved as chief of San Carlos City Police Station. His vacated post was assumed by Police Lieutenant Jesus Mesahon Jr., chief of Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit.
Baybayan was transferred to the Provincial Administrative and Resource Management Unit, while Mesahon’s post was assumed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Vargas, who was relieved as chief of Himamaylan City Police Station.
Vargas was replaced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Reynante Jomocan, chief of Provincial Community Affairs and Development Unit.
For Victorias City Police Station, Police Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Corpuz was replaced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Fajardo Jr., who is from the Provincial Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.
Corpuz was assigned to the Provincial Administrative and Resource Management Unit.
Police Major Roberto Indiape Jr., chief of Calatrava Municipal Police Station, was assigned as chief of Cauayan Municipal Police Station, replacing Police Lieutenant Colonel Norberto Barniso, who was moved to Nocppo headquarters here.
Indiape’s post was assumed by Police Major Joevito Bose, chief of Provincial Learning Doctrine and Development Section.
Bose’s previous post was assumed by Police Major Jake Barila, chief of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station.
Barila’s vacated post was assumed by Police Captain Ryan Villasario, who was designated as deputy police chief of Escalante City Police Station.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonel Guadalupe, chief of La Carlota City Police Station was replaced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Lowell Garinganao, whose previous assignment was at Capiz Provincial Police Office as chief of Provincial Police Strategic and Management Unit.
Guadalupe was assigned as chief of Sagay City Police Station, replacing Police Lieutenant Colonel Albert Sy, who was transferred to the Provincial Human Rights Affairs Office.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Rocky Desear, chief of Cadiz City Police Station swapped posts with Police Lieutenant Colonel Gil John Despi, chief of Escalante City Police Station.
Donasco said the reshuffling was based on a memorandum circular that police chiefs should not have more than six years of accumulated tenure in their respective areas of assignment.
