MANILA, Philippines?The commander of the elite police unit Special Action Force was promoted to two-star rank on Monday, with 14 more other police officers named generals, the Philippine National Police said on Wednesday.

Promoted to the rank of director was Leocadio Santiago Jr., the chief of SAF.

The PNP?s two-star rank is equivalent to the military?s major general. PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa administered the oath of office to the newly promoted police officers, whose promotions were approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The 14 police officers promoted to one-star rank chief superintendent, or the equivalent of brigadier general, were the following: Federico E. Laciste Jr., Miguel DM Laurel, Dominador E. Aquino Jr., Mario A. Avenido, Manuel R. Barcaena, Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu, Charles T. Calima Jr., Napoleon R. Estilles, Bienvenido Latag, Jaime Morente, Alan Purisima, Rolando Purugganan, Felipe L. Rojas Jr., and Luis L. Saligumba.

Meanwhile, 15 other policemen were promoted to the rank of senior superintendent: Jane Aunzo, Paquito Belandres, Delfin Bravo, Romeo Campomanes, Efren Castro, Jesus Delfin Dela Cruz, Edgardo R De Leon, Cesar Jacob, Perpetuo Macion, William Manzan, Marlo Meneses, Winnie Quidato, Raul Saysay, Jose Tabora, and William Viteno.