PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — A FEMALE police general makes history today as she takes over as the new director of the Eastern Police District.
Chief Supt. Lina C. Sarmiento was the first woman to become a district director in the National Capital Region Police Office.
She will assume the post of erstwhile EPD head Chief Supt. Lino Calingasan, who was designated as the new director of the Police Security and Protection Group.
“I thank the DILG Secretary, Ronaldo Puno and PNP chief, Director General Jesus A. Verzosa for giving me this opportunity to lead a police district in Metro Manila. This will be another major challenge for me,” said Sarmiento.
She vowed to continue the massive internal reform programs and crackdown on crimes ordered by Verzosa.
Former PSPG director Chief Supt. Josefino G. Cataluna is set to become the new Police Regional Office 12 director in Central Mindanao vice his mistah, Chief Supt. Fidel A. Cimatu, Jr.
Sarmiento, the erstwhile Police-Community Relations Group director will be replaced by former PNP spokesman and chief of the PNP Public Information Office, Chief Supt. Nicanor A. Bartolome.
On the other hand, Senior Supt. Leonardo A. Espina will replace Bartolome as PNP spokesperson, a position that will qualify him for the rank of Chief Superintendent, a rank equivalent to a Brigadier General in the Armed Forces.
Espina will still command the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response in a concurrent capacity as the PNP leadership searches for a new chief of the elite anti-kidnapping unit.
Sources said Senior Supt. Isagani R. Nerez, currently the head of the National Capital Region Office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, will take over the top PACER post.