iBalbalan Brigadier General Dilag now in charge of PNPA

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Brig. Gen. Ericson D. Dilag, the first star-ranked police general from Balbalan, Kalinga, has been designated Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) following the latest reshuffle of senior PNP officials.

The designation took effect on September 25, 2026, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), which reported that Dilag was assigned to oversee the PNPA after then-Academy Director Maj. Gen. Redrico Maranan was reassigned as acting chief of the PNP Directorial Staff.

Dilag previously served as Regional Director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) from July 21, 2025 until August 28, 2026, when he formally turned over the regional command to Brig. Gen. Noel B. Vallo.

The iKalinga general, whose father is a native of Pantikian, Balbalan, now assumes leadership of the PNPA, the PNP institution responsible for the education and training of future police officers.

On September 28, the PNPA welcomed Dilag through a post on its official Facebook page, expressing its support for his leadership and vision for the Academy.

“As we bid farewell to one great leader, we proudly salute and welcome our new Officer-in-Charge, PBGEN ERICSON D DILAG! The PNPA community stands fully prepared to support your leadership, embrace your vision, and work hand-in-hand to advance the Academy's mission of excellence,” the PNPA said.

Dilag’s record in PRO-CAR

Before taking over the PNPA, Dilag led PRO-CAR during a period when the regional police office received national recognition.

Under his leadership, PRO-CAR was named the Best Police Regional Office nationwide for 2025 during the PNP Service Anniversary in August 2025. The award recognized the regional office's administrative efficiency, operational performance, discipline and community-oriented programs.

Among the programs cited were Tagapagpatupad, Panag-aywan Ti Kailyan, Project Talyer and the region's disciplinary initiatives. PNA also reported that PRO-CAR recorded a 97.13% regional trust index and 97.17% respect index in its 2024 Web-Based Online Community Engagement Survey.

In the second quarter of 2026, PRO-CAR under Dilag reported the arrest of 403 wanted persons, including 85 most-wanted individuals, from March 18 to June 10.

During the same period, the regional police conducted 293 anti-illegal drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 111 drug personalities and the confiscation of about ₱639.14 million worth of illegal drugs, according to the Philippine Information Agency.

PRO-CAR also reported a 3.39% decline in recorded crime incidents during the period compared with the same period the previous year.

Dilag's transfer to the PNPA marks another leadership assignment for the Balbalan-born police general, who now takes charge of an institution tasked with preparing future leaders of the country's police service.