Purisima installs former ops officer as Western Mindanao commander

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima formally installed on Thursday his former operation officer as the new Western Mindanao police commander.

Chief Supt. Juanito Vaño took over the command vacated by Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles during the formal turnover ceremony presided by Purisima held at Camp Abendan in Barangay Mercedes.

Estilles has been elevated late December by Purisima as the PNP director for plans and programs.

Purisima credited Estilles for streamlining the police forces and ridding it of misfits in the police ranks in Western Mindanao during his 11-month stint. He also received a 'Medalya ng Katapatan'.

In the southern Philippine region, Purisima also directed Vaño to continue the programs left by Estilles and ensure the stability of peace and order in the areas under the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9.

“As the new PRO9 director and my alter ego I’m assured that he will not fail in bringing peace that is conducive for local, foreign investment and travel,” Purisima added.

Former Interior and Local Government for police matters Undersecretary Rico Puno, who was embroiled in a number of controversy, including the purchase of handguns, was also among the guests during the turnover ceremony.

Puno, however, said his presence had nothing to do with the PNP matters but with being a mason official as the PNP chief is a mason leader.

He was, however, introduced as the incoming agriculture secretary by Purisima.