MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of two retired Philippine National Police (PNP) officials as the department’s new undersecretary and assistant secretary.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed former Police Community Relations Group director, Bernardo Florece Jr., and former PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) in Western Mindanao director, Manuel Felix, as new DILG undersecretary and assistant secretary, respectively.
“On behalf of the DILG family, my sincerest congratulations to retired police generals Florece and Felix on your appointment in the DILG. I am confident that both of you will be an asset to Team DILG and significantly contribute to the attainment of the department’s campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, corruption and terrorism, as well as in the drive for continuing excellence in local governance,” DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año said in a statement Tuesday.
Florece is the new undersecretary for peace and order, a position previously held by former undersecretary Catalino Cuy, who now chairs the Dangerous Drugs Board.
As undersecretary for peace and order, Florece will advise Año on matters concerning public security.
“This I will do with enthusiasm and conviction,” he said.
For his part, Felix is looking forward to working in the DILG as assistant secretary, saying, “It’s an honor to be part of the DILG family and a privilege to work and share the same vision as its dedicated men and women in serving our people and beloved country.”
“I will definitely work closely with OIC Ed Año having come from the same institution, which molded us and of course, be guided with the superior and subordinate professional relationship,” Felix said.
Prior to their appointment to the DILG, Florece served as vice president and board director of the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc. while Felix acted as director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao.
Florece’s career began as a platoon leader and, later, company commander of various units in the now defunct Philippine Constabulary in Bicol, which later on boosted him through the ranks during his years at the PNP, holding the position of division chief of different offices at the Camp Crame Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Felix began as a lieutenant at the Philippine Constabulary after he graduated from Philippine Military Academy (PMA), becoming regional captain of the Quezon Constabulary and the Mindoro Oriental Constabulary later on.
Felix then became the chief inspector of the Mindoro Oriental PNP Command and Provincial Office. Later, he was assigned to the Laguna Police. Slowly climbing the police service ladder, Felix was promoted to police superintendent, then police senior superintendent of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership/Logistics/Police Community Relations.
Both DILG officials are members of the PMA Matikas Class of 1983. (DILG PR)
