Marcos picks new AFP, PNP, NBI chiefs

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed new leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In a message to reporters on Monday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed the appointments of the following:

• Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente O. Bacarro as AFP chief of staff;
• Police Lieutenant General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. as PNP chief;
• Medardo de Lemos as NBI director.

The change-of-command for AFP is scheduled on August 8 to give Bacarro time "to wind down at the Southern Luzon Command and provide him with the transition to his new position in Camp Aguinaldo," Cruz-Angeles said.

Bacarro would be the first AFP chief who will be given a fixed three-year term in accordance with a new law, she added.

Signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte on April 13, 2022, Republic Act 11709 "sets a fixed three-year tour of duty for the AFP chief of staff, vice chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff, the major service commanders (Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy), unified command commanders, and inspector general "unless sooner terminated by the President."

Bacarro earned his Medal of Valor award on December 21, 1991 for his gallantry during a 10-hour encounter with communist rebels in Maconacon, Isabela.

Bacarro, who is part of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, also held various positions in the 5th Infantry Division, including platoon leader, company commander, administrative officer, intelligence officer, operations officer, civil-military operations office and secretary to the general staff.

In November 2004, Bacarro was designated Army spokesperson and chief of public affairs office in Fort Bonifacio. He also became the spokesperson of the AFP and chief of the Public Affairs Office in Camp Aguinaldo.

Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr.  welcomed the appointment of Bacarro.

“Lieutenant General Bacarro’s appointment as Chief of Staff bodes well for the AFP as he will be given a longer period to implement reforms and institutionalizes policies that will redound to the benefit of the organization,” he said.

“As mandated by RA 11709, General Bacarro will be accorded a fixed term of three years as AFP Chief of Staff,” he added. 

Both Faustino and Bacarro belong to the same PMA class.

Meanwhile, Azurin, part of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989, is presently the chief of the Northern Luzon Police area.

He served as director of the Directorate for Comptrollership (DC) as well as the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM) in Camp Crame.

Azurin also served as chief of the Maritime Group and later as regional director of Police Regional Office 1.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed support to Azurin, assuring that the organization will continue its efforts in doing its mandate.

“Under Police Lieutenant General Azurin's direction, we assure the public that our police force will sustain its momentum to carry out PNP’s mission and to deliver its mandate with utmost integrity, credibility and professionalism, all for safety and protection of our Filipino people,” it said.

On the other hand, De Lemos has been with the NBI for more than 30 years and is the bureau's most senior officer, according to Cruz-Angeles.

“Director de Lemos rose from the ranks and his appointment as NBI Director is a strong indication of President Marcos’ commitment in strengthening the system of ‘meritocracy’ in the promotion, placement and hiring of government personnel,” Cruz-Angeles said.  — with Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA News