Change of Command put on hold at DCPO as PNP abruptly cancels turnover ceremony

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (January 23)  — Just as Police Colonel Peter Madria had just begun reading his acceptance speech, Police Brigadier General Mariano C. Rodriguez, PRO-11 Deputy Director for Administration, stood up and stopped the ceremony.

What was expected to be a routine change of command on Thursday, January 23, 2026, was abruptly halted after the Philippine National Police (PNP) XI ordered the cancellation of the turnover ceremony, showing the highly centralized and fluid nature of police leadership decisions.

The office turnover ceremony, scheduled for noon, was already underway in all but name. Senior officials, station commanders, and police personnel were seated, protocols were in place, and the program formally commenced when the order came.

Madria was poised to assume the post of DCPO city director, replacing Police Colonel Mannan Muarip. However, midway through his speech, he was instructed to stop, and the entire program was called off.

Rodriguez rose and announced the sudden cancellation on the spot, addressing the assembled officers to explain the unexpected turn of events.

“Pareho naman tayong magkakaibigan dito, and we are working under the pleasure of our commanders—our bosses up there. Pansamantala, tayo ay hihinto sa ating programa,” Rodriguez said.

He added that the directive came directly from PRO-11 Director Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, acting on instructions from higher headquarters.

“We regret, and at the same time, we are thankful,” Rodriguez said. “We are all friends here, and we are working for our bosses up there. For now, we have to temporarily stop this program because we need to follow orders from higher headquarters.”

Rodriguez declined to elaborate further, repeatedly emphasizing that the decision was beyond the regional office’s control and that police officers are bound to follow the chain of command.

“Hindi na ako maglalabas ng anumang pahayag. Basta, kailangan nating sundin ang utos mula sa higher headquarters,” he said, before calling for calm and unity within the ranks.

The aborted turnover comes amid a series of command adjustments at the DCPO over the past year.

Colonel Muarip himself assumed the post after replacing Police Colonel Hansel Marantan, following a decision by PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, a move reportedly cleared at the national level after the situation in Davao City stabilized following the controversial police operations involving the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).

Thursday’s last-minute reversal suggests that leadership decisions in Davao City remain subject to close scrutiny and final approval by national authorities, highlighting the city’s strategic and political sensitivity within the PNP’s command structure.

A police official said halting the turnover before the formal rites are completed is crucial, as reversing the process after the ceremonial transfer of authority would be far more complicated.

In police tradition, the reading of assumption orders, the handover of the unit book, and the passing of the colors or command flag are not mere formalities but powerful symbols that mark the precise moment authority and responsibility shift from one commander to another. Once these rites begin—especially when the incoming commander starts reading his designation or assumption order—the unit is regarded, both in practice and in perception, as already having a new leader.

Reversing that transition after these symbols are exchanged would require explicit counter-orders from higher headquarters, and could raise immediate operational and legal questions about who is authorized to give commands, approve actions, and assume accountability on the ground.

As of Thursday afternoon, Muarip remains the sitting DCPO city director, while Madria’s assumption of the post remains uncertain.

Despite the unusual turn of events, police leadership sought to project neutrality and discipline, dismissing any notion of internal division within the DCPO.

“May city director tayong nakaupo at may papalit sana. Wala tayong pinapanigan,” Rodriguez said, stressing that the chain of command remains intact.

For now, the canceled ceremony leaves unanswered questions about the timing and direction of leadership changes in one of the country’s most politically sensitive police jurisdictions—an indication that within the PNP, even formal transitions can be swiftly paused or undone by orders from above.

Police sources said the halted turnover may be the third major command decision under Rosete that was later reversed or not cleared by PNP national headquarters, although no formal statement has been issued to confirm a pattern.

According to police officers familiar with the matter, two earlier directives involved the proposed reassignment of Davao City police officials, some of whom had only recently returned from postings in other regions.

Sources said Rosete had again sought clearance from Camp Crame to transfer these officials out of Davao.

Some officers reportedly sought to remain in or return to the region after their families experienced depression, health complications, and other significant medical issues linked to the transfers.

Sources said the reassignment orders were elevated to Camp Crame for review and were either recalled or did not receive final approval.

Since Rosete assumed command in November 2025, several personnel and operational directives issued at the regional level have required clearance from PNP headquarters, reflecting the close oversight exercised by national authorities over key command decisions in Davao.-Editha Z Caduaya