Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Alan Purisima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Newly appointed Philippine National Police chief, Deputy Director General Alan La Madrid Purisma, on Tuesday called on policemen involved in illegal activities to just leave the service.
This appeal was made amid reports tagging a high-ranking police officer in the illegal numbers game “Jueteng” in Pangasinan, along with separate reports of dismissed cops, particularly from the National Capital Region Police Office.
“Ang mensahe ko sa mga kasamahan natin sa PNP na sangkot sa kasamaan at katiwalian: umalis na kayo ngayon pa lang (my message to our colleagues involved in illegal activities: leave the service now),” Purisma said in his assumption speech during the PNP Change of Command Ceremonies where he replaced Director General Nicanor Bartolome as PNP Chief.
In NCRPO alone, Purisima said 73 policemen had been dismissed, 18 others were demoted, and 61 had been suspended since September.
Moreover, Purisima said he is set to impose a “no multi-tasking policy and system,” which aims to define the specific role of each and every policeman. The same was first implemented during his time as NCRPO director.
“Kung ikaw ay isang imbestigador, dapat naka-tuon ka sa mga kasong ibibigay sa iyo. . . Kapag ikaw naman ay nakatalaga sa patrolya, dapat lang na hindi ka na tawagin para gawin ang ibang trabaho (If you are an investigator, you should be focused on the cases assigned to you…if you have been detailed with patrol, you should not be called to do other jobs),” he said, noting that delays in the completion of work, sometimes, are a result of working on different tasks all at the same time.
“Dahil dito, madali nang matutukoy ang nakakagawa at hindi nakakagawa sa kaniyang tungkulin. Sa wikang Ingles, ‘putting round pegs in round holes,’” Purisma added.
The new PNP chief said he would be strict in terms of work delivery, expecting nothing but the best result in every job, but added that his demand for commitment and excellence from his men would be appropriately supported by the leadership.
He said trainings and other refresher programs will also be conducted to enhance the skills and capabilities of police officers, both in the completion of administrative jobs and operation and investigation tasks.
“Sa lahat po ng miyembro ng ating Pambansang Pulisya, ang Daang Matuwid na itinataguyod ng ating mahal na Pangulo [Benigno Aquino III], at hangarin din ng ating mga kababayan, ay ating tatahakin (To all members of the PNP, we will follow the straight path alid down by our dear President),” he said.