Who’s in charge in the PNP?

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP)  is  now in a “quandary” after its beleaguered chief, Director General  Alan Purisima, was suspended over an allegedly anomalous contract  of the PNP with a courier service company, a police official told a Senate hearing Wednesday.

“We’re also in the same boat and in a state of a quandary…”  Chief Superintendent  Cornelio Barrios, deputy director for logistics, said during the hearing of the Senate committee on finance.

“We’re affected but we make sure the operational activities of the PNP are not affected at all because we have to cater to the citizenry,”  he added.

Barrios made the remarks after he was repeatedly asked by committee chairman, Senator  Francis “Chiz” Escudero,  as to who is at the helm of the PNP now that Purisima was ordered suspended by the Ombudsman.

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered last week a six-month preventive suspension against Purisima and other police officials over a questionable contract with courier service company Werfast Documentary Agency in 2011.

On Wednesday,  Purisima asked the Court of Appeals to stop the  suspension order against him.

Pending the appeal, Escudero wondered who would  now  be on top  of the PNP.

“Since we are giving the PNP P2.8 billion, who’s currently in charge and at the helm of the PNP given the current legal problems that the current PNP chief is facing?” asked the senator, referring to the  proposed 2015 budget of the PNP.

Barrios then pointed to Police Deputy Director General  Leonardo  Espina, who he said was appointed  officer-in-charge by Purisima  while the latter was abroad.

But since the beleaguered chief already arrived Tuesday, Escudero  then asked who would be in-charge if Purisima’s suspension would  take effect.

“We’ll find out, your honor, what’s the development  tomorrow (Thursday),”  Barrios said.

“How can I give you P2.8 billion,  Sir, if I don’t  know who I’m giving it to?” the senator asked again to which Barrios answered, “Well,  your honor, you’re giving it to the organization.”