PNP promotes Purisima, Espina, Querol

MANILA, Philippines–Three top officials of the Philippine National Police advanced to higher ranks Wednesday following their promotion.

Promoted were Directorial Staff chief, Deputy Director General Alan Purisima, National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Leonardo Espina and Special Action Force chief, Director Cipriano Querol Jr.

The three were honored during simple ceremony at the PNP’s national headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

In his speech, Purisima said that among the aspects he has been working on since his assumption as head of the directorial staff is the agency’s finances.

He said his department is appraising the amount of each and every activity of the PNP so as to allocate enough budget for a particular police operation, such as in investigations.

Espina, on the other hand, said that with this promotion, he promises to “double” his efforts as the chief of one of the biggest police regional office in the country.

Meanwhile, Querol, who also served as the regional director for Region 6, said his return now as the head of the 4,000-strong elite unit Special Action Force, said “this promotion is an affirmation of a leader’s trust and confidence to face greater responsibilities.”

For his part, PNP chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome reminded Purisima, Espina and Querol to keep in mind that amid all their accomplishments, “humility is still a trait worth having.”