Major revamp at PNP looms

A MAJOR revamp in the Philippine National Police (PNP) looms with the impending retirement of the PNP’s second highest official, Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, later this month.

Sermonia, PNP deputy chief for administration, is due to reach the retirement age of 56 on January 26, capping a 38-year service.

“Any retirement of a senior officer, it will trigger a major revamp,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr told reporters on Wednesday, when asked if Sermonia’s retirement will lead to a major revamp.

“Even if it’s just one position, it will have a ripple effect below,” he added.

Among senior officials who might succeed Sermonia are PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria and Chief Directorial Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta.

Sermonia is from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989 while Dubria and Peralta are classmates of Acorda at the PMA Class 1991.

Acorda was supposed to retire from the service last December 3 at the age of 56 but his tour of duty was extended by President Marcos Jr until March 31.

Dubria and Peralta are due for retirement on December 20 and August 24, this year, respectively.

Sermonia first assumed the post of PNP deputy chief for administration in March 2022 or a few months before the end of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Before that, he was PNP deputy chief for operations.

Five months later or in August 2022 during the Marcos administration, Sermonia was reassigned as commander of the Area Police Command-Visayas, a demotion.

Two months later in October 2022, Sermonia was reappointed as PNP deputy chief for administration.

Sermonia had been considered to become the PNP chief a few times during the past Duterte administration and the current administration.