By Christine Fabro
The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said on Friday (May 7) that he will eradicate the “padrino” or “palakasan” system in recruitment.
“Ngayon pa lang, humihingi na ako ng pasensya at paumanhin sa mga gustong makiusap sa mga kasamahan natin sa PNP, sa mga retired police officers, sa aking mga kamag-anak, at mga kaibigan. Pasensyahan na po, tatablahin ko kayo,” the PNP chief said.
Eleazar reassured that all applicants will be screened equally to allow the entry of more deserving and qualified applicants.
Meanwhile, a reassignment order dated May 8 has taken effect today to seven PNP generals and four colonels.
Special Action Force (SAF) chief Maj. Gen. Bernabe Balba has been transferred to the Visayas Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) – to be replaced by Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Felipe Natividad.
Northern Police District director Brig. Gen. Nelson Bondoc and Southern Police District chief Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz have been appointed directors of the Regional Police Offices of Mimaropa and Calabarzon, respectively.
Col. Randy Peralta will be transferred from Office of Chief PNP to take leadership of DIPO Western Mindanao, replacing Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo who will get a new post at NCRPO.
Eleazar initially revamped the top posts of the Command Group, naming Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz as the new deputy chief for administration, the PNP’s second-highest official; Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, the chief of the directorial staff, replaced Vera Cruz as deputy chief for operations; and Maj. Gen. Rolando Hinanay from the Civil Security Group (CSG) to Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM). –CF/rir
