Malacañang said yesterday it was about time that the Philippine National Police underwent a major revamp, saying it was good for any organization to undergo reorganization after some time.
The PNP underwent a major revamp over the weekend after President Duterte’s rebuke last week of the police organization over the recycling of illegal drugs seized in anti-narcotics operation.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte did not propose but agreed to the revamp.
“Hindi niya ginusto kung hindi he agreed with the revamp, that’s good for the PNP,” he said.
“Any revamp will always be good for an organization after a while because mahirap ‘yung nagkakaroon ka na ng ugat sa mga posisyon ninyo. Tama lang ‘yun,” he added.
The PNP has put all officers occupying key positions in the organization under three-month probationary status in order to assess their competence to the job assigned to them.
At the same time, all promotions of senior officers from brigadier general up to lieutenant general was put on hold, according to PNP officer-in-charge Police Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.
Gamboa explained that the probationary status and the holding of promotion of senior officers are part of the measures to demand more from the officers entrusted with key positions.
Among the key positions referred to by Gamboa are regional directors, heads of the national support units, and the directorial staff.
“This is to introduce new leaderships with fresh ideas, new vigor,” said Gamboa in explaining the massive revamp ordered by Duterte.
“I am also giving a chance to other officers to perform that’s why we effected a reshuffle to have a fresh idea, fresh start and then we will see what you will do in the next three months,” he added.
At least 21 senior officers were affected by the revamp that include key positions like the Criminal Investigation and the Directorate for Intelligence and regional director posts. (Argyll Geducos and Aaron Recuenco)
