PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. yesterday said he would be delighted if Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia will be back permanently as PNP deputy chief for administration.
Azurin designated Sermonia as the PNP deputy chief for administration officer-in-charge effective last Sunday, following the retirement of Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo.
Sermonia had earlier held the second highest post in the PNP in a permanent capacity until last August when he was re-assigned to a lower position as commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas.
He will handle the post in addition to his duties and responsibilities as commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Azurin said Sermonia was among the three officials he recommended to President Marcos Jr. to be the successor of Malayo.
The two others, Azurin said, were PNP deputy chief for operations Maj. Gen. Benjamin Santos and PNP chief directorial staff Maj. Gen. Arthur Bisnar.
Pending the approval of the recommendation, Azurin designated Sermonia as the OIC of the newly-vacated position.
Azurin said Sermonia was designated as commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas in August to address the killing of policemen by the New People’s Army in the Samar provinces.
Azurin said Sermonia has already instituted measures to address the concern.
“Yes, I will be glad if he will be joining the command group (as PNP deputy chief for administration),” said Azurin, adding Sermonia can continue monitoring the Area Police Command-Visayas.
“He has already completed his job there (in Visayas),” said Azurin.
Sermonia is a classmate of Azurin at the Philippine Military Academy class of 1989. Santos and Bisnar are from the PMA classes of 1991 and 1990, respectively.
