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Morente took over the reins from Senior Superintendent Catalino Cuy in a turnover ceremony here, and in the middle of heightened security alert level in the city following the bomb explosions in the cities of General Santos, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.
Police chief superintendent Andres Caro, PNP Southeastern Mindanao regional director, said the reassignment was “part of a routine effort for development of the PNP concerned officials”.
Caro said 32 police commanders nationwide would be reshuffled. He said that only Cuy and Morente were affected in the southeastern Mindanao region,
PNP Chief Oscar Calderon told Manila reporters this week that the reshuffle, all to be carried out before Janaury 14, was meant “to ensure impartiality of the police officials in the May 14 elections”.
The reshuffle was contained in a Department of Interior and Local Government directive, signed by Secretary Ronaldo Puno. Puno chairs the National Police Commission.
Caro said Cuy would proceed to Camp Crame to await his new assignment ruling out the latter was in "floating status".
Cuy told the AFP/PNP Press Corps here Thursday that he was able to effect changes at the DCPO that worked for more police efficiency. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has already expressed confidence in Morente saying he knew him for 15 years. Morente vowed to intensify police visibility in the aftermath of the bomb explosions.