The Philippine National Police (PNP) reassigned 16 of its senior officers in a major revamp that includes key changes in its command group.
In an order issued by PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III dated July 11, Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo was named as the new Deputy Chief for Operations, the third-highest position in the PNP hierarchy.
Okubo will be replacing Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, who is scheduled to retire on July 15.
He also previously served as the PNP Chief of the Directorial Staff, the fourth-highest post in the police organization.
Replacing Okubo as Chief of the Directorial Staff is Maj. Gen. Neri Ignacio, who previously served as Director for Logistics.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Birung, the former PNP Academy Director, is now Commander of the Area Police Command – Southern Luzon.
Other PNP officials with new designations include:
· Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Decena – from Deputy Regional Director for Administration of Police Regional Office-3 (Central Luzon) to Director of the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA);
· Brig. Gen. Martin Defensor Jr. – from Finance Service (FS) Director to chief of Directorate for Logistics;
· Brig. Gen. Marlou Roy Alzate – outgoing SOSIA Director to new FS Director;
· Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay – former Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) Director to PNP Regional Director for Bicol;
· Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon – former Bicol Regional Director to PNP Academy Director;
· Brig. Gen. Benigno Guzman – former Manila Police District (MPD) Director to PSPG Director;
· Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad – from Northern Police District (NPD) Director to MPD Director;
· Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta – former Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director to Regional Director of Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Director;
· Brig. Gen. Willy Segun – outgoing Director of the PNP Communications and Electronics Service (CES) and now HPG Director;
· Brig. Gen. Roel Rodolfo – moves from Regional Director of Zamboanga Peninsula to Regional Director of Mimaropa;
· Brig. Gen. Jerry Protacio – from the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) is assigned to the NPD-National Capital Region Police Office;
· Col. Rommel Batangan – from the Negros Island Region (NIR) is the new Deputy Regional Director for Administration of Central Luzon; and
· Col. Lito E. Patay – formerly of Northern Mindanao is reappointed to the NIR.
The new designations of the said police officers will take effect by July 14 (Monday) and July 15, 2025 (Tuesday).
