By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Three senior police officials have been given new assignments in the latest reorganization within the Philippine National Police (PNP), stemming from developments at the PNP Academy (PNPA).
In an April 15 order, PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. designated PBrig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, regional director of Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), as acting director of the PNPA.
Taking over as PRO-7 director is PBrig. Gen. Arnold Evangelista Abad, while PBrig. Gen. Arnold Casingal Santiago has been named acting district director of the Manila Police District, replacing Abad.
Maranan replaced PBrig. Gen. Andrei Dizon as PNPA director, who was transferred to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) following the April 3 incident in which three second-year cadets applied a mixture of muriatic acid and Liquid Sosa on the backs of more than 20 cadets.
“Ang nag-trigger ng reshuffle ay ang nangyari sa PNPA, kung saan ngayong araw ay may turnover sa PRO-7 at bukas naman sa PNPA,” PNP Spokesperson PBrig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday.
Aside from Dizon, eight other PNPA officials were relieved from their posts and reassigned to the PHAU: one brigadier general, two colonels, two majors and three sergeants.
“Kaugnay sa administratibong aksyon ng PNP, nagdesisyon ang NHQ sa pamumuno ni PNP chief Gen. Nartatez na i-relieve sa kanilang puwesto ang siyam na opisyal,” Tuaño said.
Police personnel assigned to the PHAU typically have no specific duties.
Meanwhile, the PNP is expanding its anti-hazing crackdown beyond the PNPA to cover all training units nationwide.
“We are institutionalizing these reforms,” Nartatez said in a statement. “Hindi lang ito para sa PNPA. This will be a zero-tolerance standard for all training centers nationwide, from recruitment to specialized courses.”
Nartatez said the PNP will ensure the uniform implementation and monitoring of anti-hazing policies across all training centers.
“Consistency is key. We are strengthening our internal monitoring. Magkakaroon ng random inspections at stricter accountability for training directors,” he said.
