Purisima’s absence in Senate hearing due to miscommunication, says PNP

PNP Director General Alan Purisima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima did not snub the Senate hearing. A miscommunication happened.

This was the defense of the PNP on Purisima’s absence at the Senate committee on public order hearing on Tuesday, which almost prompted two senators to suspend the proceeding.

‎”PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima did not snub the hearing. There was some minor miscommunication but he will definitely attend in case there will be another invitation,” Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief, told the media.

Purisima got a dressing down from Senator Grace Poe, the chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, for not showing up at the hearing.

Sindac said that in the Senate invitation for the hearing sent to Purisima’s office, it was indicated that “you or [your] representatives” could be sent to attend the Tuesday proceeding.

He said this made the PNP chief believe that he could send other police officials who are “equally competent to discuss modernization plans of the PNP with the senators.”

As proxy, Chief Superintendent Alexander Ignacio, ‎PNP Directorate for Plans head, attended the senate hearing.

This irked Poe, who pointed out that if the President himself could answer the issues raised against his office, Purisima should do the same.

“We wanted to hear directly from chief Alan Purisima. We were expecting him at least to give us a plan on where the PNP is heading in light of the current crime situation in our country and to defend the institution and the majority of police officers who are doing their jobs,” Poe said after suspending the hearing.

“He has gone far too long, relying on his spokespersons to speak for him. The President himself answers issues that are asked by the public of his office. I don’t see any reason why the PNP chief should be exempt from having to directly address the people.”

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