Quezon City Police District deputy chief set to assume post

MANILA, Philippines - A police colonel who rose from the ranks and started his career 35 years ago in Quezon City is set to assume the post as director of the city police.

Senior Superintendent Elmo San Diego will assume the post as director of the Quezon City Police District once Chief Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula is transferred to a reported new position in Camp Crame. San Diego said yesterday he has yet to receive any order but noted he is the next in line based on rules of succession, as he currently holds the position as the QCPD’s deputy director for administration.

“If and when he (Gatdula) leaves for another position, since there is no other appointment (for the QCPD director) I will be the one to assume,” San Diego told reporters in an interview. He clarified it will be in an on OIC capacity.

Gatdula, who recently received his one-star general rank, also said San Diego was the one he recommended to replace him if and when he is transferred to another position.

Earlier reports said Gatdula will be assigned as chief of the newly established Directorate for Information and Technology and Computer Management. Gatdula, however, said he knew nothing about the reported impending reshuffle within the Philippine National Police and that he has yet to receive an order on his supposed transfer.

San Diego, a member of Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1981, is a scion of two former heads of the Quezon City Police Department

His father, Chief Superintendent Ernesto San Diego, held the post from 1981 to 1984, while his uncle, Chief Superintendent Romeo San Diego, was in position from 1990 to 1991.

He graduated from the Far Eastern University with a degree in Political Science in 1974, immediately after which he started as a civilian clerk at the QC Police Department. He was a patrolman for two years before entering the PNPA in 1978.

After graduation from the PNPA, San Diego had remained with the city police, save for three posts outside that he held briefly. 

San Diego was deputy commander of a number of stations of the QCPD and chief of the Quezon City Hall Complex Police Office before he was appointed deputy district director for operation in February 2006. He was appointed deputy director for administration in January 2008.

San Diego has a master’s degree in management and PhD in criminology.