PNP Command Group’s No. 4 man promoted, gets 3rd star

MANILA, Philippines—To Philippine National Police Chief Directorial Staff Director Nicanor Bartolome, being promoted to Deputy Director General and receiving his third star was the culmination of a dream.

“Being promoted to a star rank is a culmination of every police dream,” Bartolome said as he was promoted on Monday. He stated that he was grateful to have been given more than one star.

He said that the star was not only a symbol but a reminder to do better.

In his speech, Bartolome mentioned a story of a woodcutter who cut fewer trees each day because he forgot to sharpen his axe and compared it to the police and their capabilities.

“Sharpening the axe (capabilities of the police) is most important,” he explained.

Bartolome said that he would “focus on the responsibilities of all police directors to make the PNP stronger” and support the Aquino administration’s ‘daang matuwid’ (straight path).

Meanwhile, PNP Chief General Raul Bacalzo reminded his men that every promoted policeman should help in other officers’ progress.

The oath taking was attended by Bartolome’s family, second in command of the PNP Director Benjamin Belarmino Jr., and third in command of the PNP Deputy Director General Raul Castañeda.

Bartolome belongs to the Philippine Military Academy batch 1980.