(File photo)
MANILA – Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Tuesday said the latest reorganization of police officials would need confirmation of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“We want to clarify that there is a process that should be followed,” said Abalos, who is also Napolcom chair, in a statement.
“Once confirmed by Napolcom, the list will be submitted to the President for his approval,” he added.
Under Section 6 of Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2019-001, Abalos said designation to such positions “shall be submitted to the Commission for confirmation prior to the submission of the same to the President for approval.”
The memorandum said Napolcom has 30 days, from the receipt of proposed assignments, to review or approve the assignments or designations. If the period expires, such assignments are deemed approved.
Upon approval of such assignments, the Philippine National Police (PNP) directorate for personnel and records management will issue the appropriate orders.
Abalos said Napolcom’s authority on the matter stems from the 1987 Constitution which provides that “the State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a national police commission.”
“Civilian control over the police is a hallowed principle of our fundamental law. Rest assured that the Napolcom will carry out its duty to oversee and enhance the administration of the PNP,” said Abalos.
Abalos' clarifications came after PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday ordered a revamp of eight police officials.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo confirmed that there was a scheduled turnover of positions to be held in Camp Crame on Tuesday but did not push through.
"Let us wait for the official announcement as to when is the formal assumption of office and turnover of positions. Until such a schedule is set, the concerned officer will remain in their current positions," Fajardo told reporters.
The eight generals affected by the revamp include National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, named the new chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) while Directorate for Intelligence (DI) chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was named the new acting regional director of the NCRPO.
Meanwhile, then DPCR director Maj. Gen. Mario Reyes was designated to head the Directorate for Logistics while Maj. Gen. Jon Arnaldo replaced Nartatez as the new DI chief.
Brig. Gen. Ronald Oliver Lee was designated as the new chief of the Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD), replacing Arnaldo.
Maj. Gen. Eric Noble, director of the PNP Academy (PNPA), was named the new head of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) while Brig. Gen. Samuel Nacion will be the acting PNPA director.
Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro from the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM) was named the acting director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG). (PNA)
