I’M referring to newly-promoted Police Major General Ronald Lee and Brigadier Gen. Tony Marallag, who on Friday proudly took their oath of office before PNP chief Gen. Benjie Acorda. In behalf of my family, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to these two fine officers and gentlemen.

To the uninformed, the promotion of these two officials were delayed for nearly a year but both chose to keep silent, not bothering to speak to the press and just patiently waited for their time to come. Last Friday, I was present when the two got their well-deserved promotion along with newly-promoted Lieutenant Gen. Jonnel Estomo and Brig. Gen. Ramil Montilla.

Lee, a member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Tanglaw-Diwa’ Class of 1992, and Marallag of PNP Academy ‘Sandigan’ Class of 1994 did not mince any word in thanking Gen. Acorda whom they said stood solidly behind them and really fought for their promotion.

Maj. Gen. Lee, a veteran ‘police operator’ who used to be a Cordillera Police Regional Office director and later chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group before becoming the PNP Director for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, said it all when he addressed a packed crowd at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center.

“Let me begin by saying the best quotation from Helen Keller —– “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart”.

This oath taking ceremony is one of the best proof that —“The right people will defend and support you even when you are not talking” —-Despite of many challenges along the way, all the hardships, struggles, and challenges/sacrifices were finally paid-off.

“During my stint as the Regional Director of Police Regional Office Cordillera, my capabilities as a leader were really challenged and tested. Some people used the Pilar incident to attack and question my service reputation.”

(Lee was referring to a March 2022 gunbattle between policemen manning a checkpoint in Pilar, Abra and suspected members of a partisan armed group said to be under the employ of the local mayor and vice-mayor which left one of the suspects dead. The clash took place amid the Cordillera police force’s strict effort to ensure a peaceful and orderly May 2022 elections in the province.)

“It was even used as a model/template in conducting intel driven operations against PAGs —- yon pala, iba ang ibig sabihin ng PAG — PAG mamalasin ka WAGAS! My promotion was delayed due to my reassignment to the Directorate for Intelligence… Ngem kuna tayo ngarud, God will always make a way when there seems to be no way… Salamat sa Taas–ang boss ko paglipat sa DI ay si CPNP,” he said.

After his stint at the Cordillera police force, Lee became the PNP-CIDG director but was removed in January 2023 and transferred as PNP Deputy Director for Intelligence.

“My special thanks to our Chief, PNP – Police General Benjamin Acorda for his trust and confidence in designating me as the Director or Human Resource and Doctrine Development.My snappy salute Sir! It is really an honor to be given another challenging position in the PNP.”

“Thank you to the President of the Philippines, President Bong Bong Marcos Jr, for approving my promotion to Police Major General. This promotion is a testament that we have a Happy 2024.”

“I have mixed emotions today—no anya man iti nalpasen nga inaramid da kanyak, the right people around me have defended and supported me even if I am not talking! Agyamanak unay iti suporta ken talek yo kanyak, Apo!

Maj. Gen. Lee thanked his fellow public servants, his mistahs led by Lt. Gen. Estomo, his friends and his DHRDD family for their prayers and support to him even as he assured that they will continue this year what they have started to ensure the continuing welfare of all police personnel. He also thanked all police generals who signed a manifesto calling for his promotion to the next higher rank last year.

“To my amazing wife – Bong Lee, saying “Thank You” is not enough to recognize and acknowledge the love and support you are giving me from the very start of my career as a police officer. I really thank you for all your sacrifices in taking good care not only of our family but also the whole PNP, being the President of the PNP Officers’ Ladies Club. I dedicate this promotion/achievement to you, to our children,and to our granddaughter ATG.”

“Above all, thanks God – the Great Architect of the Universe – for His continuous blessings. How grateful and happy I am today after waiting for more than one year!”

“Finally, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you who are in one way or another, helped me to develop my unique leadership skills in order to become an effective leader – a leader who is always willing to lead; a leader who is always willing to obey orders without complaining; a leader who is full of action—Aramid pakakitaan.”

Brig. Gen. Marallag for his part surprised many in the audience when he revealed that he battled cancer while his wife was afflicted by ‘lupus’ during the ‘darkest days’ of his career or during the early days of the former Duterte administration.

Troubled by unfounded and unproven accusations, the official who is now the PNP Headquarters Support Service director, or the Camp Crame commander, the official survived with the help of his classmates, relatives and friends and superiors like Gen. Acorda and former PNP chief, Gen. Jun Azurin.

Lt. Gen. Estomo and Maj. Gen. Lee, along with Brig. Gen. Marallag and Brig. Gen. Montilla of PNPA ‘Tagapaglunsad’ Class of 1993, were among the scores of senior PNP officials whose promotion was delayed for months amid complaints about ‘government red tape’ starting in the National Police Commission.

Brig. Gen. Marallag was one of those who really suffered as his promotion was delayed for nearly a year after becoming a member of the Command Group, starting from Regional Chief Directorial Staff to Deputy Regional Director for Operations and eventually Deputy Regional Director for Administration of the Police Regional Office 1 in Ilocos-Pangasinan region.

He finally earned his star-rank after being the Camp Crame commander since September 2023. Gen. Acorda commended Lee for keeping his silence over the injustice done on him while they were looking for a ‘win-win’ solution to the matter.

PBBM approved the promotion of the four following a recommendation from Gen. Acorda and the National Police Commission chaired by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos who this week announced they will expedite procedures related to the promotion of PNP officers.

According to the DILG chief, he has directed the Napolcom to impose a 30-working day deadline on the matter. “All promotions must be acted upon within 30 days. Either the promotion is denied or approved, there should be an action in 30 days,” he said.

“There are many gaps. Let us improve on things. We have to work together. Just inform me what we should do about it because you know the situation better,” he said when PNP officials paid their New Year’s Call to him.

“You worked hard for that so there really should be no delay there. We have made this a policy even if I am no longer in the position. Maybe this is the legacy we can leave to our police force,” he added.

However, that doesn’t end there. PNP officials said that the 30-day processing of their promotion papers by the Napolcom is much longer than the 15-day deadline imposed by the Civil Service Commission. The Napolcom came under fire from dozens of 3rd-Level PNP Officers late last year amid complaints that the promotion papers of some officials were delayed for 11, 10, 9 or 8 months in the Napolcom alone.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon