SPD director appointed ACG chief

MANILA, Philippines — After being vacant for over a month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has a new chief of its primary anti-cybercrime unit.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil designated Southern Police District (SPD) director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang as head of the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG). 

Yang, a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1995, is now the PNP’s lead enforcer against cybercrimes and other offenses using information and communications technology. He had stints as deputy director of the PNP Command Center and chief of the Pasay City police.

The post of ACG director has been vacant for over a month after its previous head, Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga, was administratively relieved following a raid on a suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Manila. He is now the chief of the Area Police Command in Northern Luzon.

Replacing Yang as SPD director is Special Action Force commander Brig. Gen. Manuel Abrugena, who now has operational control and supervision over the police stations in Taguig, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Pasay, Makati, Parañaque and Pateros.

Four other senior police officials got new posts yesterday. Among them is Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who is  now the No. 2 man of the Quezon City Police District as its deputy district director for administration.

The SPD has a new deputy district director for operations in Col. Rodel Pastor, while Col. Erosito Miranda was appointed as officer-in-charge of the National Capital Region Police Office’s  regional staff.

Col. Amante Daro, meanwhile, was designated deputy district director for administration of the Northern Police District.