Two top PNP officials holding posts illegally?

The promotion of Deputy Director Generals Reynaldo Velasco and Ricardo de Leon has reportedly violated the law reforming the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Under Republic Act 8551, the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act, a policeman who has less than a year of service before reaching the age of retirement cannot be promoted to the next rank or appointed to a new position.

Velasco is set to retire on May 22, while De Leon will bow out of the service on Sept. 10, when they reach the compulsory retirement age of 56.

Before being named deputy chief for administration, Velasco was deputy chief for operations, while De Leon was Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force commander prior to his appointment as deputy chief for operations.

Malacañang announced the appointment of Velasco and De Leon on March 14 after President Arroyo had named then Deputy Director General Arturo Lomibao as the new PNP chief.

Sixteen other police generals are set to retire this year.

Reliable sources said the President originally tapped Director Oscar Calderon to be deputy chief for administration, and Director Avelino Razon Jr. as deputy chief for operations.

"Because of intense lobbying of some politicians and some groups, Calderon was relegated as PNP chief of the directorial staff... Lomibao’s former position," the source said.

Razon will remain as National Capital Region Police Office commander, especially after the attempted jailbreak at the Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, in Bicutan, Taguig two weeks ago, the source added.

Another source said members of Philippine Military Academy Class ’71 have been accommodated in the reshuffle as "a reward" for not opposing the appointment of Lomibao — a member of PMA Class ’72 — as PNP chief.

"All other members of (PMA) Class ’71 were accommodated as evidenced by the appointment of (retired Deputy Director General Virtus) Gil as undersecretary of the National Security Council," the source said.

"Gil’s supposed assumption in the top PNP post did not materialize because of President Arroyo’s decision to extend Aglipay’s term by six months," the source said.