PHILIPPINE National Police-Officer-in-Charge (PNP-OIC) Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. has ordered a reshuffling of key PNP positions, which affected seven star-rank officers, the Journal Group learned on Wednesday.

Camp Crame issued officials orders for the designation of the concerned officials following command from Lt. Gen. Danao.

The reshuffle is being triggered by the forthcoming retirement this coming May 24 of PNP Director for Personnel and Records Management, Major Gen. Herminio S. Tadeo Jr. of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988 and the retirement of National Police Training Institute Director Maj. Gen. Alex B. Sintin yesterday.

Brigadier Gen. Robert T. Rodriguez will replace Tadeo, a classmate of Lt. Gen. Danao from the PMA “Sambisig” Class of 1991.

Rodriguez, the erstwhile director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey M. Masauding of PNP Academy (PNPA) Class 1994. Masauding was the erstwhile Senior Executive Assistant of former PNP chief, now retired Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos.

Colonel Wilson S. Asueta, a lawyer-member of PNPA Class 1995 and currently the Senior Executive Assistant at the Office of the PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, was designated as the OIC-SEA of the Office of the Chief, PNP.

On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Filmore B. Escobal, another member of PMA Class 1991 was designated as the acting commander of the Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao replacing Lt. Gen. Manuel M. Abu of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989 who has been named as the PNP The Chief Directorial Staff.

Escobal will get his 3rd-star with his new position.

Brig. Gen. Samuel C. Nacion of PNPA Class 1992, the erstwhile Deputy Director for Administration of the National Police Training Institute, was named the new director of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group vice Brig. Gen. Oliver A. Enmodias of PMA Class 1990.

Enmodias will get his 2nd-star as deputy commander of the Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao.

Col. Christopher C. Birung of PNPA Class 1992 was designated as acting Chief of Staff of the PNPA, while Col. Edwin DL Portento of PNPA Class 1995 was named as acting Executive Officer of the PNP-DPRM.

Brig. Gen. Lawrence B. Coop of PNPA Class 1991, the erstwhile PNP Deputy Director for Personnel and Records Management, was designated as the new chief of the PNP Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies, replacing Brig. Gen. Sidney N. Villaflor of PMA “Tanglaw Diwa” Class of 1992 was named as the new PNP Deputy Director for Logistics.

Brig. Gen. Constancio T. Chinayog Jr. of PNPA Class 1993 replaced Coop as PNP-DPRM deputy director.

Villaflor replaced his mistah, Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo who was named as the acting Deputy Commander of the Area Police Command-Southern Luzon, a position that will earn him his 2nd-star.

He replaced Brig. Gen. Emmanuel B. Peralta, another PMA Class 1991 member who was designated as the new acting director of the PNP Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management vice his classmate from PMA, Brig. Gen. Jon A. Arnaldo who has been named as the director of the NPTI vice Maj. Gen. Sintin.

Col. Joseph R. Arguelles was also relieved from the PNP Training Service and assigned to the PNP-DPRM.

Lt. Gen. Danao earlier designated Abu as the new PNP-TCDS, the 4th highest position in the 225,000-strong police force.

As Chief of Directorial Staff, Lt. Gen. Abu will supervise the operations of the ten PNP Directorial Staff in managing different staff functions of personnel management, intelligence, operations, logistics, plans, training and doctrine, research and development, police-community relations, and investigation.

As of press time, Lt. Gen. Danao remains as the PNP-OIC and concurrent PNP Deputy Chief for Operations. The other member of his Command Group is PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lt. Gen. Rhodel O. Sermonia, a classmate of Abu from PMA Class 1989. By Alfred Dalizon