NEW LEADERSHIP FOR PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002305

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL RP
SUBJECT: NEW LEADERSHIP FOR PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a congratulatory visit October 3 with
newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Director
General Jesus "Jess" Verzosa and his leadership team, the
Ambassador, accompanied by U.S. law enforcement agency heads,
reaffirmed close U.S.-Philippine law enforcement
relationships. In a free-ranging conversation, Verzosa
outlined his key priorities for his term as director.
Verzosa listed professionalization of the police force,
continued close cooperation with U.S. law enforcement
agencies, reorganization of the police chain of command, and
a renewed emphasis on counterinsurgency efforts --
particularly Mindanao -- as his top objectives. A regular
and close contact of the Embassy since 1991, Verzosa was
complimentary of the PNP's relationship with the USG and
thanked the Ambassador for the extensive training and
assistance the United States has provided to Philippine law
enforcement. END SUMMARY


2. (C) The Ambassador met with new Philippine National
Police (PNP) Director General Jesus "Jess" Verzosa on October
3 at the Camp Crame PNP Headquarters in Quezon City to
congratulate him on his recent promotion and to discuss his
agenda. Verzosa was joined by 15 senior police officials and
was eager to discuss his top priorities with the Ambassador
and key members of the Mission's law enforcement working
group (RSO, LEGATT, DHS, ICE, ICITAP, DEA, and JUDATT).
Appointed to the PNP's top slot on September 27, 2008,
Verzosa attended the International Association of Chiefs of
Police conference in Boston, MA in 2006. He is eligible to
serve as director until he reaches the age of 56, in December

2010.

Continued Strong Cooperation
--------------


3. (C) Verzosa told the Ambassador he wants to
professionalize the police force and to be known for his "on
the go, in the field, hands-on management." He vowed to
continue the close cooperation that he said characterized
U.S.-Philippine joint law enforcement efforts and thanked the
Ambassador for the training and assistance the USG has
provided to the PNP over the years. The Ambassador voiced
her strong support for the PNP and her admiration for their
success in countering criminal and terrorist activity,
encouraging Verzosa to keep the Embassy apprised of how the
USG can continue to be of assistance in the future.

New Regional Command Structure
--------------


4. (C) Verzosa took the opportunity to describe a new
program to establish Integrated Police Offices to control
regular and special police units in each region. The
positions will be two-star general billets and command all
PNP personnel in their areas of responsibility. Currently,
regional directors command only the regular PNP officers and
Regional/Provincial Mobile Groups, while the specialized PNP
units fall under separate national commands. Verzosa
believes his reorganization will result in greater command
flexibility and responsiveness by giving greater
decisionmaking authority to field commanders. This will also
establish command structure parity with the Armed Forces of
the Philippines. Verzosa outlined the importance of
increasing the PNP's mobility to enhance its ability to
conduct investigations away from police stations. He plans
to deploy a number of specially equipped vans with crime
scene equipment and sleeping quarters to save officers from
having to procure their own transportation, as is currently
the practice.

Counterinsurgency Focus
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador and Verzosa concluded their meeting
by turning to the issue of security in Mindanao. Verzosa
underscored the importance of a renewed emphasis on
counterinsurgency efforts and the nation's internal security,
particularly in Mindanao, where he plans to deploy rotating
teams of officers on temporary loan from other regions.
Verzosa went on to report that although the existing budget
allows for the hiring of 3,000 new PNP officers annually, he
hopes to expand this number to 4,500. The Ambassador
underscored the need for close cooperation between the PNP
and the armed forces to bring stability and peace to
Mindanao, emphasizing that a stable and secure Philippines is
a top USG priority.


6. (C) PERSONAL DATA: Jesus Verzosa was born in Ilocos Sur

MANILA 00002305 002 OF 002


on December 25, 1954. He is a grandson of the late Bishop
Alfredo Florentin Verzosa, the first Ilocano bishop. Verzosa
is married to Cynthia J. Verzosa, a businesswoman, and they
have two children. His son, Eric, is a medical student, and
his daughter, Joyce, recently took the bar exam. Verzosa has
served as head of PNP's Program Management Office, Deputy
Chief for Operations, Chief of Directorial Staff, Chief of
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and as Regional
Director for Calabarzon and Cordillera regions. Like Armed
Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Alexander
Yano, Verzosa is a member of the Philippine Military Academy
Class of 1976. He also holds a law degree from Jose Rizal
College and an MBA from Northwestern University.

KENNEY