President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. has approved the promotion of Police Lieutenant General Benjamin Santos Jr., the PNP Deputy Chief for Operations and Police Lieutenant General Patrick Villacorte, the Area Commander of Area Police Command- Eastern Mindanao.
Their promotion to the three-Star rank was formalized on October 16, 2022, in ceremonies presided by PNP Chief, Police General Rodolfo S Azurin Jr upon the recommendation of DILG Secretary and NAPOLCOM Chairman Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
The following day, October 17, 2022, the Chief PNP also formalized the promotion of ten other senior police officials to higher ranks. Four of them get the two-Star rank, they are: Police Major General Oliver Alilis Enmodias (Deputy Commander, APC- Northern Luzon); Police Major General Robert Tiron Rodriguez (TDPRM); Police Major General Benjamin Casuga Acorda, Jr. (TDI); and Police Major General Arthur Cabalona (Deputy Commander, APC-Eastern Mindanao), while six of the remaining senior police officials were promoted to one- Star rank: Police Brigadier General Cosme Abante Abrenica (Ex-O, DIDM); Police Brigadier General Enrico Huelba Vargas (Ex-O APC- Visayas); Police Brigadier General Benedicto Talavera Pintor (Deputy Regional Director for Administration PRO-10); Police Brigadier General Kirby John Brion Kraft (District Director, SPD); Police Brigadier General Carlito Malapit Gaces (Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO 1); and Police Brigadier General Joseph Banuelos Bayan (Chief, IAD – IAS).
PGen Azurin reminded all senior officials and unit commanders to maintain a strong will in enforcing the campaign against criminality and illegal drugs with the help of the church and community through the KASIMBAYANAN project, anchored on the peace and security framework of PNP: M+K+=K (Malasakit plus Kaayusan plus Kapayapaan equals Kaunlaran).
“We will also heavily evaluate their respective individual performances to determine their competence to continue leading their respective units,” he added.
