BRIG. Gen. Ronald Oliver Lee, chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), has been re-assigned as deputy director of the PNP Intelligence Group (IG), a move that PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. described as a demotion in position due to a “minor problem” in the unit.
Lee will swap posts with IG Deputy Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., who headed the PNP Drug Enforcement Group during the administration of President Duterte.
The post of CIDG director is a two-star (major general) position, while the IG deputy director post is a one-star (brigadier general) position.
If Lee continues to head the CIDG, one of the most coveted posts in the PNP, he will have to be promoted to the next higher rank soon.
Lee and Caramat were classmates at the Philippine Military Academy class of 1992.
“Let’s just say it’s a regular movement with some minor problem(s),” Azurin said but did not explain what the “minor problem” was.
“We will still try to work despite the minor problem that we are confronting so far at the CIDG is concerned,” said Azurin.
Azurin said Caramat was being eyed to become CIDG director long ago but Caramat had some “personal problems” to attend to, delaying his appointment.
“We recommended (Gen.) Ronald Lee to remain as CIDG director until Gen. Caramat is ready,” said Azurin.
Last Sunday, when the order designating Caramat as CIDG director was issued, Azurin said an “unfortunate incident” happened to the wife of Caramat.
Azurin was referring to Calasiao, Pangasinan Mayor Mamilyn Caramat who died of a heart attack.
“We asked if he was ready to take the position. He said “despite what happened to my wife, I am ready’,” said Azurin.
Azurin said Caramat was due to assume the post later yesterday.
Azurin said he wanted to see Lee being promoted to major general before being replaced as CIDG director “but of course we have to abide by the discretion of higher authority.”
Azurin said he told Lee the PNP will try to give him a two-star position, noting there are some two-star positions due to be vacated.
“We hope that he will be given another two-star position so he will be promoted (to major general). Ronald is a very good officer, very professional but sometimes, as I said, we need to move and we need to be professional. Whatever the higher-up says, we have to follow,” said Azurin.
In a statement, Caramat said his first marching order to CIDG personnel is to support the ongoing program of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. to rid the PNP of cops involved in illegal drugs.
“As the premiere investigating body of the Philippine National Police, I wanted to make sure that all my personnel have the moral ascendancy because later on, we will be tasked to validate and investigate those who will be found involved in (illegal) drugs,” said Caramat.
