From Purisima to Aquino: Thank you

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima. Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO

MANILA, Philippines – Beleaguered Director General Alan Purisima and his Philippine National Police expressed their gratitude to President Benigno Aquino III who expressed his unwavering trust in their ability to fulfill their role to serve the people.

“Nagpapasalamat ang pamunuan ng buong pwersa ng PNP sa pahayag ng Pangulong Benigno Aquino III at ang kanyang patuloy na tiwala at suporta sa kakayahan ng PNP na gampanan ang tungkulin sa taong bayan,” Purisima said in a statement read by PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac Friday.

(The PNP leadership and its entire force thank President Benigno Aquino III for his unwavering trust and support to the PNP in fulfilling our role to serve the people.)

In a speech in Malacanang during an agenda-setting dialogue with his officials early Friday, Aquino defended Purisima and the PNP for solving high profile cases amid criticisms against them.

“Ito ang magsisilbing inspirasyon upang lalo pa naming pagbutihin at paigtingin ang matuwid na pagtupad sa aming tungkulin,” Purisima said.

(This will serve as our inspiration to do our jobs better.)

The PNP has recently been in hot water due to the spate of crimes involving its men, including the case of 10 policemen linked to the P2 million robbery-abduction on Edsa in Mandaluyong City last September 1.

Calls for Purisima to step down as the PNP chief also surfaced as some sectors blamed him for the increasing number of rogue policemen.

But Aquino stood by Purisima who asked in his Filipino speech whether it was reasonable to let him step down even when he was doing a good job.

He also praised the policemen who investigated, pursued and arrested their erring colleagues.

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