3 contenders for PNP’s No. 2 post named

MANILA, Philippines — Three Philippine National Police officials have been recommended to be the next deputy chief for administration, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin announced yesterday.

Azurin said he recommended to President Marcos, through Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, the possible replacement for Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, who retired on Sunday.

Those being eyed as PNP deputy chief for administration, the second highest official in the police force, are Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. and acting chief of directorial staff Maj. Gen. Arthur Bisnar.

Sermonia, former director of the Area Police Command in the Visayas, will serve as deputy chief for administration in an acting capacity, pending approval of the recommended names submitted to the National Police Commission.

Buddies vs crimes

Meanwhile, the PNP is planning to deploy soldiers as “buddies” of policemen in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to beef up security during the Christmas season.

Azurin said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro vowed to provide augmentation troops to the police to prevent crimes.

Police and soldiers will be conducting patrols as anti-crime buddies by the end of the month, according to Azurin.

“We need to strengthen police visibility in public areas as the Christmas season nears,” he said at a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Azurin said the deployment of soldiers in crime-prone areas is similar to the initiative of former PNP chief and senator Panfilo Lacson.