MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday maintained President Aquino has always chosen the best and right man for the top post of the Philippine National Police (PNP) despite suspicions he allowed suspended Director General Alan Purisima to supervise a police operation by “remote control.”
“He has always made the right decision, taking to account factors, considerations insofar as a particular department or agency is concerned,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said when asked when a permanent PNP chief would be appointed.
The process to select the country’s next top cop, according to Lacierda, has been there but many things are still being considered, like questions about having only one four-star rank general in the hierarchy which only the leadership can answer.
“On the appointment of the PNP chief, the President will appoint the person qualified to head the PNP as a civilian organization,” he said. “People are looking at who should be leading the PNP, so it will be up to the President as to who will be the next PNP chief.”
Queries about the legal implications of Purisima’s resignation as PNP chief will have to be answered by the PNP spokesman, since Lacierda is unsure whether the sanctioned general is no longer connected with government service or just as PNP chief.
“I wasn’t clear about the resignation from the PNP, not resignation from the service. I could not comment on the concept … that’s why I had to defer… I will re-defer to General Cerbo on that matter. I am not familiar with the police structure,” Lacierda said, referring to PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo.
Lacierda also brushed aside speculations Purisima still wields enormous influence in the PNP.
“He is no longer part of the institutional hierarchy. He’s resigned from PNP so he’s not part of the institutional hierarchy anymore,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara renewed his call for the passage of the Magna Carta for the PNP, which seeks to codify and strengthen the existing rights and benefits of police personnel.
Angara pushed for an increase of combat pay from P240 to P340 a month or P1,020 quarterly.
“I believe that the measly amount of P580 a month is not enough to compensate for the bravery, hardship and sacrifice of our elite cops who willingly risk their lives for the security of the Filipino people,” Angara said.
“The government must show greater appreciation and recognition for their unwavering service by increasing their benefits and allowances,” he added.– With Christina Mendez