PNP Director General Alan Purisima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Senators heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday on the reported resignation of suspended Philippine National Police Chief Director Alan Purisima, one saying this might prevent the “continued demoralization” of the organization.
Senator Grace Poe, who has been calling for Purisima’s resignation, said the report was a “welcome development all for the best interest of the police organization.”
“At least his resignation may prevent the continued demoralization of the PNP,” she said in a text message.
Poe, head of the Senate committee on public order, then urged President Benigno Aquino III to immediately appoint a new PNP chief.
“It will be for the best that the President immediately appoints a new PNP chief,” she said.
“The immediate appointment of a permanent competent and qualified chief is a good start for the PNP to uplift the morale of its ranks and restore a clear chain of command,” she further said.
Poe’s committee will take the lead in the Senate investigation on the Mamasapano incident next week where Purisima allegedly played a role in the operation that resulted to the death of 44 PNP-Special Action Force last January 25.
Senate President Franklin Drilon also urged the President to immediately choose a “competent replacement” for Purisima.
“For the good of the nation, I urge the President to immediately select a competent replacement for General Allan Purisima, one who will be able to effectively lead the Philippine National Police and overcome its many challenges in these trying times,” Drilon said in a statement.
“This is the first step that will restore the morale of our personnel in the PNP which has been greatly affected by the recent turn of unfortunate events. In order to effectively carry out the functions of the PNP, the government has to make sure that their morale to their service remains high, and their dedication to pursue justice remains strong,” he said.
The immediate appointment of a new PNP chief, Drilon said, was “crucial so that chain of commands in the PNP will again be fully observed.”
Despite this, Drilon and Poe said Purisima should still attend and cooperate in the Senate probe and other bodies investigating the Mamasapano incident.
“He should attend the hearings in the Senate next week on the Mamasapano encounter. His cooperation is crucial in getting the full truth, which we owe to the families of the slain commandos, and in seeking accountability and justice for his fallen comrades,” the Senate leader added.
If the report was true, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said, “At least he saved the President from the trouble of having to fire him if only to stabilize the PNP as an organization with a permanent head.
“I hope PNoy (Aquino’s nickname) will appoint his successor at the soonest possible time,” Escudero said in a separate text message to reporters.
While the resignation would help pacify those trying to pin the blame on Purisima, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said this would not “address the issues of the SAF personnel and the people crying out for justice for the 44 slain SAF troopers.”