PNP official in De Lima rescue promoted

MANILA, Philippines — The police official who rescued former senator Leila de Lima from a hostage-taker during an attempted breakout by suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center last October was promoted to the rank of one-star general.

Mark Pespes, director of the PNP Headquarters Support Service, was among the senior officials who were promoted to the next rank.

He received his first star during an oath-taking and donning of ranks ceremony presided by PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday.

Pespes was the one who shot Feliciano Sulayao Jr., an inmate who held De Lima hostage at her detention quarters on Oct. 9. Two other detainees, Arnel Cabinton and Idang Susukan, were shot dead by policemen.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. commended Pespes’ for his “quick thinking” that ended the hostage crisis.

Azurin thanked President Marcos and Abalos, who is also chairman of the National Police Commission, for the officers’ promotion.

Among the other officials promoted to the next rank is Lt. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, director of the Area Police Command – Southern Luzon.

Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), was also among the other officials who were promoted.

As NCRPO director, Estomo has supervision over the five police districts in Metro Manila.