By Romie A. Evangelista

A major revamp is expected at the National Police following the retirement on Monday of the organization’s number two man, Deputy Director General Ismael Rafanan, the deputy chief for administration.

The reshuffle is also believed to result in the promotion of five senior officers in key positions.

Rafanan, former chief for Central Luzon, would be replaced by Deputy Director General Geary Barias, the former deputy chief for operations.

Director Jefferson Soriano, present chief of Directorial Staff is being eyed to replace Barias.

Soriano’s post, insiders note, would go to Director Edgardo Acuna, of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, who in turn would be replaced by Chief Supt. Abner Cabalquinto, chief of Eastern Visayas office.

Camp Crame sources said Chief Supt. Mario San Diego, the chief of Legal Service, would take Cabalquinto’s place with Chief Supt. Herold Ubalde, deputy DPRM chief, filling in San Diego’s vacated post.

Rafanan and Barias are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1975 while Soriano, Cabalquinto and Acuna belong to PMA Class 1976. San Diego and Ubalde are from PMA Class 1978 and 1980, respectively.

Observers note that juicy positions are being dangled before other members of Class ’78 where President Arroyo is honorary member.

The gameplan, if followed, is to appoint Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, chief of the Western Police District, vice Chief Supt. Nilo de la Cruz, chief of the Luzon office.

De la Cruz, the source said, would be installed as chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

It was too early to figure out where the Crame leadership would place Chief Supt. Raul Castaneda, CIDG head, in the planned revamp.