INTERIOR Secretary Manuel Roxas II, in his capacity as chairman of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), on Friday designated Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina as officer in charge (OIC) of the National Police to prevent disruption in the police service as a result of the suspension of Director General Alan Purisima.
Roxas made the announcement in his first appearance at the National Police general headquarters in Camp Rafael Crame, Quezon City, two days after his office served the Ombudsman order placing Purisima on six months’ preventive suspension.
In naming Espina as the OIC of the National Police, Roxas said he was making sure that there would be no disruption in the police organization and in the services that it was administering, particularly on the campaign against criminality.
While acknowledging that the force is in a unique situation as a result of the suspension of Purisima, which Roxas declined to comment on further, he said the organization is strong and solid, and there is “no interruption in the chain of command.”
“Dindo Espina is the OIC, and there should be no interruption. There should be no doubt when it comes to the implementation of orders in the national headquarters,” Roxas said.
Espina, who is Purisima’s classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), is currently the No. 3 man in the police force, being the deputy chief for operations.
Espina belonged to the top 10 percent of PMA Class of 1981, while Purisima belonged to the lowest 10 percent.
The second-highest position in the organization, deputy chief for administration, has been vacated following the retirement of Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas on Friday last week.
With the retirement of Rojas, it is expected that there would be a major movement of rank and positions in the force, with Espina seen to inherit the post that was vacated by Rojas.
However, Roxas said there had been no promotions and designations yet, and it is up to President Aquino to make the announcement.
He said the force must not be affected by the suspension of its chief, and should continue its work by focusing on its law-enforcement activities, particularly that the country was beset by a series of events during the past days, including the bombing of an RTMI bus in Bukidnon province on Wednesday, wherein 10 passengers were killed.
The country is also busy preparing for the visit of Pope Francis early next month.
Roxas said despite Purisima’s suspension, he can still return after serving it.
The Ombudsman ordered the suspension of Purisima over the contract that the Philippine National Police entered with courier company Werfast, which was tapped to deliver licenses and permits of gun holders.
Early this week Purisima asked the Court of Appeals to stop his suspension.
He claimed that the implementation of the suspension order by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was “illegal and without basis, as the National Police is not administratively under the DILG.”
He claimed that the Ombudsman’s order should have been implemented by the Napolcom, which exercises administrative control and supervision over the force. Roxas is the ex officio chairman of the Napolcom, being the interior secretary.
Meanwhile, Senate President Franklin Drilon said that, with two momentous events facing the country next year—the papal visit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meetings and Summit—President Aquino must finally decide Purisima’s fate.
“You know, it is time that the President decides Purisima’s fate because during the next month, in 2015, there are two big events in the country—the arrival of Pope Francis in January and the Apec ministerial meeting and summit halfway through the year,” Drilon said.
“In an organization such as the National Police, where authority and leadership is strictly observed, Purisima’s suspension would turn the force into a ‘headless’ body,” said Drilon, a close ally of Mr. Aquino.
He said that such big events require constant security monitoring that would need, not an OIC, who has limited powers, but a regular head with full authority.
He said an OIC could not appoint any personnel or implement a reshuffle. “Tali ang kamay ng kung sino man ang OIC ngayon—si General Espina yata—ngayong lalo pa na kailangan nating pag-igtingin ang seguridad sa susunod na taon.”
“The President must decide a replacement now, at the very least not an OIC but an acting National Police chief.”
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