Purisima gets 4th star

MANILA, Philippines—The newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Alan Purisima, received his four-star rank, the highest grade in the PNP Officer Corps, following President Aquino’s approval of his promotion.

The PNP National Headquarters issued General Order No. 2107, which made Purisima’s promotion official, a statement from the PNP public information office said on Friday.

Purisima is the 18th PNP chief, commanding a 148,000-strong national police force. He formally assumed office on Dec. 18, after the early retirement of Director General Nicanor Bartolome.

The PNP Officer Corps hailed the promotion of Purisima to the highest police rank, which allows him to “exercise his full authority and command as Chief PNP.”