Metro cop chiefs’ revamp 60 percent done

The revamp of police chiefs in Metro Manila is more or less 60 percent completed.

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Edgar Galvante said he is coordinating with mayors in the remaining towns and cities and has submitted a list of five candidates they can choose from.

So far, the Western Police District (WPD) has completed its revamp of station commanders and staff officers in coordination with Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, said Galvante.

The Central Police District has installed four new station commanders and the Eastern and Southern Police Districts, two each.

Galvante said the revamp is a continuing effort and officers who are qualified and have outstanding service records would be given a chance to prove their worth.

He said he gave the five police district directors the final say on the revamp as they are aware who among the station commanders are ineffective and poor performers.

"I gave the police district directors enough leeway as to who among the station commanders under them would go," said Galvante in a telephone interview. "Their recommendations would immediately get my approval."

Galvante’s deputy for administration, Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano said the revamp is expected to be completed before the end of the month.

According to Albano, those to be affected by the revamp were station commanders who are poor performers in the campaigns against criminality, smut and"jueteng;" and also non-graduates of the Officer’s Secondary Executive Course (OSEC) aside from those who are overstaying in their posts.

The latest to be affected by the revamp was Pasay City police chief Superintendent Alex Gutierrez, who will be replaced by Superintendent Eduardo de la Cerna during simple rites today.

Another candidate for relief, Superintendent John Sosito, the Pasig City police chief, is not an OSEC holder but his being a lawyer was considered by Galvante, said Albano. – Non Alquitran