NINE senior police officials were affected in the latest revamp in the PNP, including Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, who is now the PNP’s fourth highest official.
Okubo, director of the PNP Civil Security Group (CSG), was named the PNP’s acting Chief Director Staff, succeeding Lt. Gen. Jon Arnaldo who reached the retirement age of 56 on October 3.
“That retirement triggered the transfer of senior officers. Our CSG director (Okubo) is going to assume as acting (Chief Director Staff),” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo told a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco will be taking over the CSG post due to be vacated by Okubo.
Francisco was assigned with PNP Personnel and Holding Center last month, after relinquishing leadership of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, former Davao region police director.
Seven other police officials were given new assignments, led by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police director Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn who was designated officer-in-charge of the Area Police Command-Northern Luzon.
Tanggawohn replaced Lt. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr who retired on October 2.
PNP Intelligence Group deputy director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz had been designated as Tanggawohn’s successor as BARMM police director.
The other officers given new assignments were Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid (PNP deputy director for operations), Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. (director of the Police Security and Protection Group), Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad (Eastern Visayas police director), Brig. Gen. Wiliam Segun (Highway Patrol Group director), and Col. Frankie Candelario (acting director of the Intelligence Group).
Fajardo said more reassignments are expected, noting the PNP’s preparations for next year’s elections.
“There will be more movements, not only because of retirement of some officers but in preparation for the elections in May next year,” said Fajardo.
