Screening on for next NCRPO chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Senior Officers Placement and Promotions Board (SOPPB) is screening the qualifications of contenders for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, a police official said yesterday.

The STAR reported earlier that NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima is expected to get the position of the chief directorial staff — the fourth highest position in the Philippine National Police (PNP) — after Deputy Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr., deputy chief for administration or PNP’s No. 2 man, opted to go on non-duty status starting Sept. 5.

Contenders for the top NCRPO post are Director Felipe Rojas of the Directorate for Research Development, and Chief Superintendents Leonardo Espina of the Higway Patrol Group, Marcelo Garbo of Central Visayas regional police and Cipriano Querol of the Special Action Force.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the result of the screening will be submitted to President Aquino for approval.

“If ever there will be vacancies, appropriate adjustments in the PNP, especially in some sensitive positions, it will be implemented,” said Cerbo. He refused to elaborate on the impending reorganization in the PNP.

Cacdac, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1978, has made history in the PNP after he implemented the computerization program in the Firearms and Explosives Divisions and removed “human intervention” in the computation of firearm license fees.