PNP’s No. 2 post still vacant; revamp looms

MANILA, Philippines — A major reshuffle in the Philippine National Police looms, with the No. 2 position still vacant five days after the retirement of Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia.

Sermonia bowed out of the police service on Friday after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria, PNP deputy chief for operations, took over Sermonia’s post as deputy chief for administration in an acting capacity.

However, Dubria’s designation was nullified based on an order from the PNP headquarters.

Dubria, who will retire on Dec. 20, once served as police chief of Davao City, the bailiwick of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

President Marcos and Duterte are currently embroiled in a “war” after the former leader called the Chief Executive a drug addict.

Duterte said that Marcos was on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The PDEA hs denied this.

Responding to Duterte’s tirades, Marcos said his predecessor is addicted to the painkiller fentanyl.

Col. Jean Fajardo, chief police information officer, said a movement in key positions in the PNP is expected following the retirement of Sermonia.

“We expect a major revamp and transfer of senior PNP officers in the coming days,” Fajardo told reporters.