8 police generals assume new posts

MANILA, Philippines — After being delayed for more than a week, the reassignment of top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) took effect yesterday.

Eight police generals finally assumed command of their posts. Among them is Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who took over command of the National Capital Region Police Office, replacing Maj. Gen.
Edgar Alan Okubo, who was appointed head of the PNP Directorate for Community Relations.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. presided over the turnover ceremony at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The PNP earlier scheduled the turnover and assumption of offices ceremony on June 27 but Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos stopped the reshuffle, saying the plan is subject to the approval of President Marcos.

Sought for comment, Acorda told reporters the reassignment of key posts underwent a thorough review and was approved by the chief executive.

“I am happy this was approved by the President, and what is good about it is all the officers can perform their respective tasks and everything also is clarified,” Acorda said in a news briefing.

Acorda also downplayed the issue, stressing there was no misunderstanding between him and Abalos and that they have talked about the matter.

“There was a process that we had to do and we waited for it to be completed,” Acorda said in Filipino.

Maj. Gen. John Arnaldo took over leadership of the Directorate for Intelligence from Nartatez.

Maj. Gen. Eric Noble, the former director of the Philippine National Police Academy, is the new head of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management while Brig. Gen. Samuel Nacion is the new PNPA chief.

Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee is the new director for human resource and doctrine development.

The PNP has a new director for logistics in Maj. Gen. Mario Reyes while Brig. Gen. Alan Nazarro was designated as Highway Patrol Group head. — Daphne Galvez