PNP Announces Major Leadership Shuffle Across Regions
The Philippine National Police (PNP) unveiled a sweeping leadership revamp affecting several regional directorates and key national units. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. approved the changes, which aim to refresh command structures ahead of ongoing security concerns and to align senior officers with regional priorities. The changes take effect starting Monday, Oct. 6.
Key Appointments in Mindanao and the Regions
Three police generals were designated to helm regional commands, signaling strategic realignments across the country’s major islands. Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano was appointed as the new regional director of Police Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao). Abrahano previously led the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), bringing a focus on organized crime, intelligence-gathering, and investigative capacity to the region.
In the Mimaropa region, Police Brig. Gen. Jovencio Badua will take the helm as director of Police Regional Office 4B. This part of the country includes the provinces of Mindoro and Marinduque. Badua’s move is expected to sharpen coordination of coast guards, maritime security, and internal policing in a region with significant port activity and maritime traffic.
For the Cagayan Valley—Region 2—Police Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag is set to assume leadership as the regional director. Cagayan Valley has unique challenges ranging from border security with neighboring provinces to agricultural-economic zones that require steady police presence and program implementation.
Shifts in National Units and Specialised Wings
Alongside the regional director appointments, other senior officers were reassigned to different national units. Police Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista was named the new head of the Maritime Group, underscoring a continued emphasis on maritime security, piracy prevention, and coast guard interoperability in a country with extensive sea lanes. Brig. Gen. Ropy Parena will move to the Directorate for Research and Development (DRD), signaling a push to modernize policing through data-driven approaches, new tech tools, and evidence-based policies.
Logistics, Camp Crame, and Northern Mindanao
The revamp also affects logistics and administrative leadership. Police Brig. Gen. Roel Rodolfo, who had been in Mimaropa, will assume a post at the Directorate for Logistics, a move that could impact resource distribution, procurement, and support services for field units. Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon will transfer to Camp Crame in Quezon City, taking on broader national responsibilities in the central administrative hub of the PNP.
What This Means for Regional Policing
Analysts say the reshuffle is designed to inject new energy into key regional commands while aligning the PNP with evolving security challenges and governance priorities. The new leaders bring diverse backgrounds—from CIDG investigations to maritime enforcement and research—potentially improving intelligence-sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and capability building across the force.
Residents and local officials in the affected regions will be watching how leadership styles translate into crime prevention, traffic management, public safety programs, and disaster response. As with any organizational change of this scale, the true test will be how effectively these officers implement reforms, maintain community trust, and sustain day-to-day policing amid ongoing national concerns.
Timeline and Context
The approval came from acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. and is scheduled to take effect on Oct. 6. While leadership transitions are routine, this revamp highlights a continued effort to refresh strategic command across Luzon and Mindanao, ensuring that the PNP’s top brass remains responsive to evolving security landscapes and local policing needs.
