THE Versoza promotion to the highest rank of the country’s police force is good as done.
This was the categorical statement of one of the country’s top police officers when asked who might make it as the successor of Police Director General Avelino Razon who is set to retire on September 27.
The official, who asked for anonymity agreed it may still be the presidential prerogative on whom to name, but he added the country’s current number 2 cop man has all the qualifications to do the job.
PDDGen Jesus Versoza is the country’s deputy director general for police administration at the Philippine National Police (PNP), a post that needs a three star general rank. He sits after Police Director General Avelino Razon, the national police director.
When promoted, he gets a 4 star rank, a position that equals him to the military’s major general, the police source said.
Gen. Versoza along with PNP top brass was the guest of honor during the 5th National Biennial Summit on Women in Policing, which is held at the Bohol Plaza Resort in Dauis.
At the summit opening ceremonies, Versoza was also openly acknowledged the country’s next top-rank police, in at least three times, this while the formal turn-over of command happens in a little more than two weeks before General Razon becomes a civilian again.
Asked why Versoza is the best bet for the seat, PCSUpt. Antonio Tanchaco confirmed added that the National Police Commission has already endorsed Versoza to the President.
The Commission en banc has also endorsed its support for Versoza to the designation as the next Chief PNP via Resolution No. 2008-449.
Interior Secretary and Napolcom chairman Ronaldo Puno, Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta, Commissioners Celia Sanidad-Leones, Luis Mario General and Miguel Coronel and Razon ex-officio member of the Commission en banc signed the resolution.
Napolcom’s official recommendation to President Arroyo on Versoza’s appointment comes when Director General Avelino Razon Jr., retires on September 27, 2008.
Once approved by President Arroyo, Versoza will be the 15th PNP chief since its creation as a civilian police organization from the defunct Philippine Constabulary- Integrated National Police (PC-INP) on January 29, 1991.
A Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1976 member, he formerly headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and has also served as the director of PNP-Region IV (Southern Tagalog).
Razon will be retiring on September 27, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Turnover ceremonies is scheduled on September 29. (rachiu/PIA/PNA)
