PNP reshuffles officials as No. 2 man retires

MANILA, Philippines - A reshuffle affecting key positions in the police organization is set to take place today with the retirement of the second top official in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr., the PNP deputy chief for administration (DCA), will turn 56 – the mandatory retirement age for police and military personnel – on Feb. 16.

“I have signed the appointment of Deputy Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr., as the next DCA and Deputy Director General Emelito Sarmiento as the next DCO (deputy chief for operation). They will assume the next higher position after my retirement,” Belarmino said in an interview.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome will preside over the turnover of command today.

Cacdac is presently the DCO or the No. 3 man in the PNP while Sarmiento is the chief of the PNP directorial staff or fourth top official in the police force. Cacdac belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class ‘78 while Sarmiento is a member of PMA Class ‘80, a classmate of Bartolome.

With the promotion of Sarmiento, his position – considered the general manager of the PNP – remains vacant and Belarmino said no one is appointed yet for the position.

Sources said Sarmiento’s post was supposed to be given to National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Alan Purisima, labeled as the PNP chief-in-waiting for his closeness to President Aquino.

But Purisima appeared “cold” to the idea of leaving the Metro Manila command before his appointment to the highest post of the PNP.

“The PNP leadership will likely choose one of the most seniors (police officers). Director Rommel Heredia, the chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relation is one of the contenders (for Sarmiento’s post),” another source said.

Other senior officers include Director Roberto Rosales and Director Felicisimo Khu, directors of Northern-Directorate for Integrated Police Office and Western-Directorate for Integrated Police Office, respectively. They are both members of PMA Class ‘78, which adopted former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as an honorary member.