The Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police went through a minor reshuffle just less than two weeks before the May 9 national and local elections, a move that has been approved by the Commission on Elections, the national police force said.
Comelec Resolution No. 10742, promulgated last December 16, 2021, citing the Omnibus Election Code’s Section 261, prohibits the transfer of officers in the civil service except if the Commission approves it prior to the movement.
Among these transfers approved by the Comelec was that of former Logistics Support Service (LSS) head Brig. Gen. Mario Albitos Reyes, who will now lead the Bicol Region police, or the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5).
He is replacing incumbent Bicol police regional director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Cabarillos Estomo.
Reyes shall then vacate his post as LSS head, and will be replaced by former Deputy Director for Logistics (DL) Brig. Gen. Lorenzo Barron Detran Jr.
Meanwhile, Estomo would now be the Deputy Director for Logistics.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos assured that all movements have been approved by the Comelec.
“Be it known that this movement of unit heads has been approved by the Commission on Elections essential to the procedure during this election period,” Carlos said in a statement.
“I trust that our competent police generals will be able to accomplish their tasks according to their specific functions,” he added.
PNP-PIO head Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba said earlier to reporters that the changes have been triggered by the retirement of senior officials.
Aside from these, Police Col. Jezebel Dominguez Medina has been tapped as the PNP Health Service director in an acting capacity due to the impending retirement of PNP Health Service director Brig. Gen. Antonino Raymundo Cirujales.
Cirujales has been reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP on Non-Duty Status ahead of his retirement on May 10 — or a day after the elections.
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