No names yet to replace ‘retiring’ Cuevas
One month is left before Police Regional Office (PRO) VI director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas bids goodbye to the police service, however, there is still no hint as to his possible successor.
Yesterday, Cuevas said that he heard no names of those recommended to fill-up his position once he retires on June 27, his 56th birthday.
“So, let’s hope that they will have the names to be recommended to the SOPPB (Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board) for deliberation soon,” he claimed.
When asked as to his personal choice to succeed him, Cuevas said that he has no one in mind.
Moreover, “that privilege is not given to the outgoing regional director, even to recommend. It’s up to the SOPPB to decide based on the deliberation they had,” he added.
But it was gathered that the PNP is reportedly zeroing in on three names to replace Cuevas.
The short list include Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome; Chief Supt. Leonrado Espina, the current spokesman of the PNP; and Chief Supt. Reynaldo Rafal, who was assigned in Iloilo for several years.
Further, Cuevas said that it is still up to the PNP National Headquarters to make their choice and assess the qualities of officers based on the characteristics they are looking for a regional director assigned to a specific area.
Aside from the being a senior officer with a rank of at least police chief superintendent, Cuevas said that it’s important that a police regional director should be physical fit and mentally stable.
“That’s why, we had this ascension test before a senior officer could be promoted,” he added.
In its website, the PNP announced that starting July this year, police officers seeking assignment to key positions will have to pass the 10-storey ascension test to determine their physical qualification for the job.
PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A. Verzosa said that the mandatory 10-storey ascension test is designed to determine the “physical capability of officers in performing the duties of their desired position”.
Officers assigned to key positions in the Directorial Staff, National Support Units, Police Regional Offices, and other Line units in the Provincial, City and Municipal levels must “possess the extra physical capability to perform the duties and function required of the position”.
The Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) already approved the parameters and mechanics of the test that involves timed ascent thru the stairwell of a 10-storey building.
The test will be supervised by PNP fitness instructors and medical personnel from the PNP Health Service.
The 10-storey ascension test standard is 2mins and 45 seconds for Directors of DIPO, NSU/Regional and District Directors; 2 minutes and 30 seconds for Provincial and City Directors; and 2 minutes and 15 seconds for Commanders of Public Safety Management Forces and Municipal and City Chiefs of Police.
Aside from the ascension test for officers, all PNP personnel are also required to undergo a semestral Physical Fitness Test (PFT) administered by the DHRDD.
Meanwhile, the absence of a 10-storey building in Western Visayas might compel those who want to get promoted to avail of the test in Manila, Cuevas said.
