MANILA -- National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar, on Tuesday confirmed that the acting director of the Southern Police District (SPD) has been promoted to the next higher rank.
Senior Supt. Eliseo Cruz was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent, which is equivalent to a one-star general.
"(Congratulations), General Ely Cruz!" Eleazar said in a Viber message sent to reporters on Tuesday.
Cruz, formerly deputy director for administration of the Northern Police District (NPD), was assigned as acting SPD director in September 2018 in a reshuffle of Metro Manila police officers.
In a letter to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año dated Dec. 10, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the promotion of Cruz and seven other PNP officials to the next higher rank.
Chief Supt. Daniel Macatlang Jr., deputy director of PNP Directorate for Plans, was promoted to Police Director, which is equivalent to a two-star general.
Aside from Cruz, promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent were Senior Supt. Nolasco Bathan, deputy director for operations of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A); Senior Supt. Ernesto Flores, and Senior Supt. Eugenio Paguirigan.
Meanwhile, Supt. Jun Mark Lagare, Supt. Lucilo Laguna Jr., and Supt. Ricardo Villanueva were promoted to Senior Superintendent.
The promotions of the eight police officers were made following the endorsement of the Civil Service Commission and recommendation by the National Police Commission in conjunction with Republic Act 6975, the law which established the PNP. (PNA)
