GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 16 Jan) – Two top police officials in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region are due for replacement this week as part of an ongoing revamp implemented by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Chief Supt. Alex Paul Monteagudo, Region 12 police director, confirmed Wednesday that he will be officially relieved from his post on Friday to give way to the assumption of Chief Supt. Charles Calima Jr. as the new regional police director.
An official turnover of command is scheduled on Friday at the Police Regional Office 12 headquarters in Barangay Tambler here, he said.
“This is part of an ongoing reorganization directed (by PNP Director General Alan Purisima),” the official said.
Monteagudo, who is due for promotion this year to the PNP Director rank, will assume as the new PNP Director for Operations vice Director Samuel Diciano.
His relief from the region was initially scheduled last Jan. 10 but it was scrapped on the last minute due to some changes.
Monteagudo was supposed to be replaced by then Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director Chief Supt. Mario Avenido, who has since been replaced by Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes as acting regional police director.
Calima, who presently heads the PNP’s Intelligence Group, was initially assigned to the Police Regional Office 1 or the Ilocos Region but it was later rescinded.
“He’s a good fit here and I’m confident that we will be able to deliver beyond our expectations, especially during the election period,” Monteagudo said of Calima in a radio interview.
The outgoing police official urged local officials and residents to give Calima the necessary support and cooperation as well as allow him “to show his worth as regional director.”
Meantime, aside from Monteagudo, the PNP also ordered the relief effective Wednesday of acting Sultan Kudarat provincial police director Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin.
Balquin, who was reassigned to the Police Regional Office 12, would be replaced by outgoing regional comptrollership head Senior Supt. Rex dela Rosa.
Monteagudo said they expected the reshuffle following the assumption last month of PNP Director General Alan Purisima and with the upcoming May 13 midterm local and national elections.
He said several city, provincial and municipal police chiefs would likely be replaced during the election period to ensure their neutrality in the run-up and during the elections.
“There are officers that have already exceeded their two-year assignments and there are some who have some links, either by affinity or blood relations, with elected officials and candidates. We expect that all these will be addressed in due time,” he added. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)