Espina: Rally behind new PNP chief … whoever he may be

PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina attends his last flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame with his wife, Maria Dinna. PHOTO by JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

Despite the uncertainty on who President Benigno Aquino III would appoint as the new head of the Philippine National Police, retiring-Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina urged police officers to support their new leader.

“I will be retiring on Thursday. I will be handing over the command leadership to the next Chief PNP who will be appointed by the President,” said Espina in an impromptu speech before hundreds of policemen at Camp Crame. He added “Our work and service continue with the motto of service, honor and justice resting on our shoulders.”

He addressed policemen on Monday when he attended the flag-raising ceremony for the last time in his active service.

Espina took over the leadership of the 150,000-strong police force after Director General Alan Purisima was suspended over a shady P100-million deal with a courier firm in 2011 to deliver gun licenses.

In his speech, Espina thanked all members of the PNP, from the officials to the non-uniformed staff, for supporting him during his seven-month duty as officer in charge.

“I couldn’t have hurdled it successfully without you prodding me on to go on, without you assisting me in every step of the way,” he said.

He also lauded his men for putting service above their personal interests.

“I’d like to urge everybody to just continue serving our people. We owe it to them. They are the very reason for our existence. Without the people, without the community, without the public in general, we cease to exist,” he said.

Espina was accompanied by his wife, Maria Dinna, who turned emotional in the middle of Espina’s message.

In an interview after the ceremony, Mrs. Espina was asked why she was in tears during the speech. She said that she sympathized with her husband, who’s both happy and sad to bow out of service.

“I feel what he feels and it is a good goodbye; it’s not sorrowful, may halong happiness,” she said.

According to her, their family was looking forward to Espina’s retirement after 38 years of service in the police force.

“We’re so excited to have him home. He’s coming home to be with us completely. Thank you sa mga nagmamahal at sumusuporta sa kanya,” Mrs. Espina said.