PNP ‘PURGE’ BEGINS: Pamuspusan out, Miranda in at PRO-6

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

 

As expected, a new leadership at the Philippine National Police (PNP) helm means changes in key and vital positions.

And Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) was no exception, as the PNP administration under General Debold Sinas, who is facing charges for violating quarantine protocols, has mounted a series of revamps within the organization.

Effective Dec. 1, 2020, Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda will take the PRO-6 rudder from Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan.

Miranda is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990 and was the District Director of Manila Police District in the National Capital Region prior his assignment to PRO-6.

Pamuspusan, a member of the PNPA Class of 1988, will assume post as Deputy Director of the Directorate for Plans.

He will be leaving the top PRO-6 post he assumed on June 27, 2019.

The orders of reassignment and designation were issued by Camp Crame on Nov. 29, 2020.

Pamuspusan is one of the 27 senior PNP officials who was affected by Special Orders No. NHQ-SO-URA-2020-8777.

Eighteen of them hold the rank of police brigadier general, seven are police colonel, and two major generals.

The turnover of command at the PRO-6 is tentatively scheduled on December 2 at 3 pm.

In a press briefing Monday, Sinas said the revamp was triggered by the vacancies in the PNP after seven retiring senior officials applied for non-duty status ahead of their retirement date.

 

EARLY RETIREMENT?

But there were reports that Pamuspusan might opt for early retirement instead of assuming his new assignment. He was not immediately available to comment on the issue.

A source who was privy to the meeting between Sinas and Pamuspusan also debunked insinuations that Pamuspusan asked to stay as PRO-6 commander until his retirement in June 2021.

“To say that he asked was a lie, much more that he begged. I was there,” the source said.

Officers affected by the revamp were made to wait outside Sinas’ office in Camp Crame in Metro Manila.

They were reportedly called in individually and were told about their relief.

“I mean, if you knew all along that the leadership is against your favor, you already expect for it. You could only hope that you would be reconsidered but you certainly won’t bank on it. So, bakit ka magmamakaawa! Parang kalokohan,” the source said.

The source saw Pamuspusan leaving Sinas’ office and “he looks the same when he went in and out of the office.”

Another source claimed that almost all of those who were told about their relief plainly said to Sinas, “Okay sir. Thank you.”

“I haven’t heard of any officer asking to remain in his position when he was told to leave,” the source said.

The relief and reassignment, the source added, apparently did not consider on who works hard or who are deemed “matamad” (lazy) by anyone’s standards.