NPD executives reshuffled in runup to polls

MANILA, Philippines -  The chief of police of Caloocan City and his four ranking officials were relieved Saturday from their respective posts in what appeared to be part of a major revamp of the Northern Police District (NPD) for the May elections.

Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, who served as Caloocan City police chief for almost a year, was replaced by Camp Crame police officer Senior Superintendent George Gaddi.

Santos was reassigned as chief of the NPD directorial staff, replacing Senior Superintendent Wilson Amper, who took the position of deputy director for operations vacated by Senior Superintendent Lendel Descantado.

Descantado was recently transferred to Police Regional Office (PRO) 10.

Also relieved were Superintendent Norberto Babagay, chief of Caloocan City police North Extension Office (NEO); Caloocan South police station chief Superintendent Jose Valencia; Chief Inspector Cresencio Galvez, the station intelligence chief, and Senior Inspector Rodrigo Soriano of the station special operations group, also the former chief of the defunct city hall detachment.

The four ranking police officers were directed to report to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) with no new assignments, sources said. The relief order reportedly came from the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.

Santos, when asked why he and his four trusted men were relieved from their posts, refused to give details.

“As an officer of the (PNP), we just follow orders. This is in fact a promotion in my part,” Santos said in a telephone interview. He did not elaborate.

Valencia was replaced by Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, who is the Caloocan City police station assistant chief for administration; and Babagay by Superintendent Rio Gatacilo.

Chief Inspector Erwin Emelo, former deputy chief of the Caloocan South police station, is the new Bagong Silang police station chief.

Chief Inspector Marcelo Mariano of the detective and follow-up unit is the new chief of the Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau, replacing Chief Inspector Rogelio Ramos.

Mariano will also replace Galvez as anti-carjacking unit chief.

Sources said that apart from Santos and his men, at least four more police officers in Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) would soon be relieved.

They said they were surprised by the “midnight revamp” of the Caloocan City police, noting the order came with no explanation and was served on a Saturday night.