Aquino scouting for new PNP chief

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 13): Aquino scouting for new PNP chief

President Aquino yesterday said he is already scouting for a new police chief following the suspension of Director General Alan Purisima by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Aquino said it is automatic for the Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to take over the PNP as officer-in-charge (OIC) since Purisima is facing a six-month preventive suspension order after being implicated in the alleged anomalous gun license delivery deal with a private company in 2011.

Earlier, Senate President Franklin Drilon urged the President to appoint an acting PNP chief to ensure that government’s security preparations during Pope Francis’ visit and the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit next year will not be affected by a leadership hiatus in the PNP. Drilon claimed an OIC “has a limited power to effect changes and reforms in the PNP.”

“In an organization such as the Philippine National Police where authority and leadership is strictly observed, Purisima’s suspension from his post would turn it into a ‘headless’ body,” Drilon said in a statement.

“That situation is what we wanted to prevent, especially in light of the forthcoming hosting of the Philippines of two high-profile events next year which would require a full-time PNP chief to be on top of all security preparations,” he pointed out.

ESPINA REMAINS HEAD

Sen. Francis Escudero also sought the appointment of an acting PNP chief, saying the unclear chain of command following the suspension of Purisima would “destabilize” the PNP as an institution.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Finance proposed that an acting PNP chief should be appointed, instead of designating an officer-in-charge to ensure the seamless implementation of activities and programs in the PNP.

But the President said Purisima’s suspension and Espina’s taking the top PNP post in a temporary capacity is no big deal even with the upcoming visit of Pope Francis in January and the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Meetings next year, according to the President.

Since Purisima is suspended, Aquino said it should be Espina “who should be leading” and taking over the security preparations for these two major events in 2015.

But the President said whatever the concept of an OIC maybe, Espina remains the “head” of the PNP at this point in time.

“He is supposed to run (the PNP). If somebody doesn’t follow him, that person gets removed. So whatever we put in place should not be dependent on one person,” Aquino said during a press briefing  in Busan where he participated in the 25th ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit.

Describing the current state of affairs at the PNP, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said “we are under unique circumstances and still in a normal course of business.”

Roxas stressed that the PNP remains committed to fulfilling its duties in fighting crimes.

“The PNP remains strong. Its chain of command remains intact,” he said.

SCOUTING

But Aquino admitted he is now scouting for a new PNP chief.

“General Espina…will not be in the service that much longer. And General Purisima will reach 56 by 2015. So, regardless, with or without this issue, naghahanap na din tayo dito. Titingnan natin ‘yung track record ng (we are now looking already. We are all looking at the track record of) all of the contenders,” Aquino said.

But when asked if keeping Purisima at the PNP is detrimental to the institution, Aquino said he believes the embattled police chief has the right to due process and to defend himself from the allegations.

He also confirmed talking with Purisima.

“The last time I talked to him he said he has kept himself to his quarters,” the president said.

But Sen. Miriam Santiago said Purisima should move out of his official quarters in Camp Crame “out of delicadeza” by virtue of his suspension which he has already acknowledged.

“Bottom line is, may utos ‘yung Ombudsman, he will have to undergo the processes and one of them is this preventive suspension. And the other aspect is that like any other citizen, he has the right to defend himself,” Aquino pointed out.

http://www.mb.com.ph/aquino-scouting-for-new-pnp-chief/