THERE will be some movements in key Philippine National Police positions with the retirement on Sunday of its erstwhile no. 2 official, Lieutenant General Jose Chiquito M. Malayo, the PNP chief said.

According to General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., he has designated his classmate from Philippine Military Academy ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989, Lt. Gen. Rhodel O. Sermonia as Officer-in-Charge, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration vice Lt. Gen. Malayo who also happened to be their mistah.

Gen. Azurin said he has recommended to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. the names of Lt. Gen. Sermonia, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Major Gen. Benjamin D. Santos Jr. and PNP The Chief Directorial Staff for the position vacated by Malayo.

Pending the decision of the Chief Executive, Lt. Gen. Sermonia will be the OIC-DCA of the police force, he being the most senior in rank among the two other candidates.

“I recommended to the President thru the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government three names. Lt. Gen. Sermonia will be the OIC-DCA pending the President’s approval,” the PNP chief said. He explained that the power to appoint a member of the PNP Command Group is vested upon the Commander-in-Chief.

The top cop said that there will be some incoming replacements of officials in some PNP offices with the retirement of Lt. Gen. Malayo. “Me aakyat at pupunta sa ibang positions,” he said.

He said Lt. Gen. Sermonia will remain as the commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas. Gen. Azurin said that being ‘a good advocate in organizing and mobilizing the community,’ Lt. Gen. Sermonia is already proving his worth in helping address threats posed by communist insurgents in the Visayas region.

“Me problema tayo sa Visayas region lalo na sa Samar, namamatayan tayo kaya we need to organize the people, we need to minimize the problem kung hindi man agad mapigilan kasi para sa akin, one casualty is too many,” Gen. Azurin said.

As OIC-DCA, which is the 2nd highest position in the 226,000-strong police force, Lt. Gen. Sermonia is expected to assist Gen. Azurin in running the day-to-day administrative affairs of the organization.

The official said that “while I am optimistic that I will eventually be appointed back as TDCA in permanent position, I am taking this new designation with utmost gratitude to your prayer and support especially during the trying period of my relief as TDCA.”

“I understand this comeback of mine to the PNP command group would not be possible without your personal offer of prayers. I have never doubted the humbling power of your faith and collective prayers and I sincerely thank you that your prayers have been heard,” he said.

“In return to your kindness, support, prayers and affection, I pledge my wholehearted commitment to dutifully perform my duty as the number 2 man and be the champion of morale and welfare of our personnel. I indulge you to stand united behind the leadership of our dear Chief PNP, who you all know is a family to me, and be steadfast in our collective goal towards beating criminality and insurgency; towards genuine peace and inclusive development for the Filipino people,” Lt. Gen. Sermonia said.

Gen. Azurin’s wife is a sister of Lt. Gen. Sermonia’s spouse.