Bacalzo to get 4th star today; 13 officers reshuffled

MANILA, Philippines - Acting Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo will get his fourth star today in a simple ceremony at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.

Bacalzo’s promotion to director general follows the retirement of his predecessor, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

He also supervised the turnover of command of 12 officials who were designated to key positions in the Command Group, Directorial Staff, Police Regional Office and National Support Units.

Bacalzo said the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board recommended the latest reorganization, prompted by the recent retirement of some senior officials.

He said among the reshuffled officials include Director Benjamin Belarmino as Deputy Chief for Operations; Director Raul Bacalzo as Chief of Directorial Staff; Director Jaime Milla as Director for Personnel and Records Management; and Director Renato Heredia as Director for Intelligence.

Chief Superintendent George Piano is the Director for Logistics; Chief Superintendent Rommel Heredia, the Director for Police Community Relations; and Chief Superintendent Victorino Panganiban Jr., Director for Integrated Police Operations in Eastern Mindanao.

Chief Superintendent Franklin Alfabeto was named the Director for Information and Communication Technology Management; Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu Jr., as Director for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao; and Chief Superintendent Emelito Sarmiento as Director of Civil Security Group.

Chief Superintendent Manuel Barcena is the new director of the Intelligence Group; and Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles as chief of the Firearms and Explosives Division.

Chief Superintendent James Melad was named the director of the Headquarters Support Service and Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses as regional director of Central Mindanao Police Regional Office (Region 12).