THE PNP leadership has effected a high-level revamp involving five generals, including Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, a contender for the post of PNP chief, who was demoted in position.
Estomo, the third highest police official in the PNP being the PNP deputy chief for operations, was reassigned to be the PNP director for plans, in an order dated yesterday.
Estomo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1992, was named PNP chief for operations in February this year. Before that he was the director of the National Capital Region Police Office.
Estomo’s reassignment means he is no longer part of the PNP command group which is composed of the PNP chief, the PNP deputy chief for administration, PNP deputy chief for operation, and PNP chief directorial staff.
This also means that Estomo’s anticipated promotion to the rank of lieutenant general is out of the picture because his new position is just a two-star post or one for a major general position.
Estomo was among several senior officials reported to have been recommended to be the PNP chief, prior to the retirement PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr on April 24.
President Marcos Jr picked Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr, of the PMA Class 1991, to Azurin’s successor. Acorda was last posted as the PNP director for intelligence.
The PNP’s No. 4 man, PNP chief directorial staff Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria, a PMA classmate of Acorda, was named PNP deputy chief for operations, replacing Estomo.
Estomo is taking the helm of the PNP directorate for plans from Maj. Gen. Bernard Banac of the PMA Class 1992.
Banac was named PNP director for information and communications technology management, vice Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon of the PMA Class 1989 who reached the retirement age of 56 last Sunday.
Replacing Dubria as PNP chief directorial staff is Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, the PNP director for operations. Peralta is also a PMA classmate of Acorda.
Peralta’s post as PNP director for operations will go to Western Visayas regional police director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, also a member of the PMA Class 1992.
Francisco’s replacement as Western Visayas regional police director has yet to be announced.
