LT. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia is back as the PNP deputy chief for administration, the second highest position in the police force, less than two months after he was removed from that post.
PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. designated Sermonia as officer-in-charge of the office of The Deputy Chief PNP for Administration effective yesterday.
Sermonia, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1989, will handle the job in concurrent capacity as the commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas.
Sermonia’s designation came after PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, also of the PMA class 1989, reached the retirement age of 56 yesterday.
Azurin has recommended three police officials to become the permanent PNP deputy chief for administration to the National Police Commission.
It was not clear if Sermonia was among the officials recommended by Azurin.
The commission, chaired by Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., will evaluate the list before making a recommendation to President Marcos Jr.
Sermonia was relieved as PNP deputy chief for administration in a massive revamp last August 8 and given a lower position as commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas.
Dozens of other officials were affected in that revamp, including former PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., of the PMA class 1990, who was designated as commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.
Sermonia and Danao were designated to their previous posts during the previous administration and played key roles in the conduct of the peaceful elections in May and in the fight against COVID-19.
