MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) For the first time, a woman will be at the helm of one of the district police offices in Metro Manila, fighting crime groups and drug syndicates.

In a top-level revamp at the Philippine National Police (PNP), which took effect on Thursday, Chief Superintendent Lina Sarmiento assumed as chief of the Eastern Police District, which covers the cities of Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.

Sarmiento said her appointment was a “historic chapter in the journey of women in the PNP”

Sarmiento’s first marching orders from PNP Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa was to neutralize motorcycle-riding criminals, in the wake of the shooting of transportation undersecretary Elmer Soneja on Wednesday.

“Revisit your strategies in neutralizing riding in tandem criminals,” Verzosa told Sarmiento.

The new EPD chief is the second female police general, after Chief Superintendent Yolanda Tanigue, chief of police Women’s and Children’s Protection Center.

Prior to her appointment as EPD chief, Sarmiento was chief of the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG). She also served as director of plans and operations service of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from August 2002 to May 2006.

Sarmiento also served as chief of police of Pandi town in Bulacan from November 1997 to January 1998, as well as chief of police of Apalit town in Pampanga from October 1996 to November 1997.

Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome took over Sarmiento’s post at the PCRG. Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, former head of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER), replaced Bartolome as PNP spokesman.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) head Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez replaced Espina as PACER chief.

Former EPD head Chief Superintendent Lino Calingasan was appointed chief of the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG), replacing Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluña.

Cataluña was appointed as regional director of Central Mindanao, replacing Chief Superintendent Fidel Cimatu, who went on voluntary leave after one of his subordinates was accused of rape.

PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa said the reshuffle was brought by Cimatu’s voluntary leave.

Asked what will happen to Cimatu, Verzosa said he would be assigned to another office, provided that he would not be found liable over the rape incident.