President Benigno Aquino III has approved the promotion of National Capital Region Police Office chief Joel Pagdilao to two-star rank or police director, a position equivalent to major general in the military.
Pagdilao expressed his gratitude to the people who stood behind him, saying his promotion paves way for a greater responsibilities and challenges, of which he is committed and prepared to accept and undertake.
“This promotion is yours, too. We will always be one in public service,” said Pagdilao, who also attributed his success and achievements to the support and cooperation of all NCRPO personnel.
Pagdilao’s promotion came a week following the recommendation of the National Police Commission to the Office of the President to raise to one rank the position of six high ranking officials of the Philippine National Police.
The Napolcom issued four separate resolutions recommending to President Aquino the promotions after PNP Dir. Gen. Ricardo Marquez certified that the police officials met all the requirements for promotion.
Three months ago, Pagdilao took over the post as Metro Manila police director replacing Carmelo Valmoria who retired from the police service.
Marquez tapped Pagdilao and reiterated his directive to intensify police visibility and the “Oplan Lambat Sibat” initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government to deter crimes in Metro Manila.
“More personnel on the ground, because first and foremost that is our job. Patroling is the foundation of Oplan Lambat-Sibat,” said Marquez.
Pagdilao, 53, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy “Maharlika Class” of 1984, is a younger brother of retired policeman and now party-list representative Samuel Pagdilao.
He was appointed Quezon City Police District chief in October 2014 after four out of five district directors were ordered relieved as part of the PNP’s “reinvigorated anti-criminality campaign for NCR.”
Pagdilao is known for his low-key leadership style as he held various significant positions over his three decades in law enforcement.
He proved his commitment to duty and his capability to rise above challenges in the police service when he was director of the Quezon City Police; executive officer of Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Visayas; deputy district director for administration and operations of QCPD; chief directorial staff of PNP Headquarters Support Service, and chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Division.
One of Pagdilao’s accomplishments during his stint as QCPD chief was the arrest of four members of a family involved in drug trafficking and the discovery of a half kilo of shabu with a street value of P2.5 million.
