Reshuffle affects 17 top PNP officers

Eleven police generals and six colonels were given new assignments yesterday in a major reshuffle ordered by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson.

The reshuffle affected top positions in the regional, district and national support offices.

Among those covered by the revamp was Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano, erstwhile director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), who was reassigned as chief of the Cagayan Valley police force.

Albano's transfer came on the heels of a bomb blast at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City last Sunday which left one person dead and some 20 others injured. Mandaluyong is covered by the EPD.

Albano replaces Chief Superintendent Thompson Lantion who was named chief of the directorate for research and development, vice Chief Superintendent Rufino Ibay Jr.

Senior Superintendent Simeon Dizon takes over the EPD post.

Chief Superintendent Enrique Cataluña of the PNP Crime Laboratory Group was named chief of directorate for investigation, replacing Chief Superintendent Julius Yarcia who moved over to the Western Visayas regional police office, vice Chief Superintendent Jose Ayap.

Cataluña's post was given to Senior Superintendent Virtus Gil, former deputy chief of directorate for research and development.

Ayap replaces Ilocos Region police director Chief Superintendent Enrique Cuadra, who was reassigned to the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center.

Cordillera Administrative Region director Chief Superintendent Crescencio Maralit was stripped of his post and replaced by former Aviation Security Group director Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang.

Senior Superintendent Marcelo Ele, erstwhile chief of the Aviation Security Group, takes over the post vacated by Galang.

Chief Superintendent Efren Fernandez was also relieved of his position as director for administration of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and was designated as new police chief for Eastern Visayas, replacing Chief Superintendent Domingo Reyes. -