By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

New Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Thursday, Sept. 3,  ordered the reorganization of the three top posts in the Command Group.

Cascolan named Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar as deputy chief for administration, the PNP’s second highest official.

Lt. Gen. Hawthorne Binag, the chief directorial staff, will replace Eleazar as the deputy chief for operations, making him the police force’s third ranking official.

Maj. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz will take the place of Binag.

Cascolan also ordered a reshuffle of ranking police officials to other positions. The reorganization takes effect Sept. 3.

In his assumption speech as the country’s 24th top cop, Cascolan said the police force’s master development plan include giving equal opportunity and leveling the playing field in the placement and promotion of personnel based strictly on performance, service reputation, and merit and fitness in establishing a “succession planning” and “career path”.

He vowed to ensure the development and the presence of ranking police officials “at all levels and at all times”.

“Close mentoring and coaching will be emphasized, and we will exact discipline in all aspects of policing. Following the principle of command responsibility, we will hold unit commanders and leaders accountable in the accomplishment of their tasks and in upholding human rights and enforce rule of law at all times,” he added.

Cascolan officially takes over as the new PNP chief on Wednesday  replacing Gen. Archie Gamboa who reached the mandatory retirement age. during the Change of Command Ceremony held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“I will lead the PNP along with the vision of a highly capable, effective and credible PNP that provides better and more reliable, more efficient and more effective police services,” said Cascolan, the country’s 24th top cop.

Cascolan, likewise, expressed optimism that the PNP will regain the public’s trust amid the controversies surrounding the institution.

He also asked for the continuous cooperation of the public for the PNP to properly perform its duty.

“We will do what is right, we will do what is proper and we will do what is just,” he said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, meanwhile, assured full support to Cascolan’s leadership.

“I call on you (police officers) to rally behind General Cascolan as you march forward as the guardians of society. Be more flexible and adaptable because volatile threats demand dynamic response among law enforcers. Despite having your hands full because of the various roles we play particularly the war on criminality, illegal drugs, terrorism and insurgency but make sure that always human rights are respected,” he said.

Año told Cascolan to respect human rights along with the police operations against crimes, illegal drugs, terrorism, and insurgency.

Cascolan is also a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala class of 1986 along with Gamboa and former PNP chiefs Ronald dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde.

“I am confident that with your equally remarkable knowledge, skills and reputation you will do your best to charting a clearer race ahead not only for the PNP but for the nation as a whole,” Año said. MNY