PNP top brass take oath in Palace
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima formally earned his four-star rank as President Benigno Aquino III administered the mass oath-taking of 48 newly promoted generals in Malacañang on Thursday.
Purisima led the top brass of the PNP in taking their oath of office before Aquino, who was visibly happy to see the PNP leadership gathered together with their spouses and children, dressed to the nines, at Rizal Hall.
The oath-taking was ceremonial in nature since Purisima had already received his fourth star last December, after he was promoted to the organization’s highest rank by virtue of PNP National Headquarters General Order 2107, dated Dec. 19, 2012.
There is only one four-star general in the PNP -whose official title is Police Director General – the rank appropriate for the position of chief PNP.
Deputy Director Generals Ager Ontog Jr. and Felipe Rojas Jr. also each got their three-star rank.
Article continues after this advertisementAt press time, it was unclear whether Police Director Cipriano Querol Jr., the No. 4 man in the PNP, had been promoted to DDG status.
Article continues after this advertisementThe first woman general, Police Director Lina Sarmiento, got her second star.
The other star-rank officers in the PNP are Police Directors Manuel Barcena, Angelito Pacia, Alexander Roldan, Leonardo Espina, George Regis, Wilson Victorio, Gil Hitosis, Alex Paul Monteagudo, Napoleon Estilles and Carmelo Valmoria.
The newest police chief superintendents are Alexander Ignacio, Henry Rañola Jr., Arrazad Subong, Generoso Cerbo Jr., Christopher Laxa, Joel Ma. Alvarez, Wendy Rosario, Nestor Fajura, Rogelio Damazo, Noel Constantino, Ismael Lapira, Federico Castro Jr., Mario Lopez Jr., Miguel Antonio Jr., James Bucayu, Manuel Felix, Allen Fortes, Isagani Nerez, Wency Pascual, Liza Sabong, Mario Soriano, Louie Oppus, Lyndel Desquitado, Roberto Soriano, Virgil Bombita, Jose Ernesto Fernandez Jr., Dennis Peña, Josephus Angan, Edwin Ronan, Luis Ricardo Chavez, Pancho Adelberto Hubilla and Rolando Macusi and Wilson Amper.