While PNP remains headless, Napolcom gives Espina extra power

THE National Police Commission has given additional authority to Deputy Director General Leonardo A. Espina as the officer in charge of the 150,000-strong Philippine National Police.

While the organization awaits the appointment of the PNP chief, Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta said Espina was given the power to approve and issue permits of firearms, explosives, import and transport ammunition, weapons systems and accessories attached or pertaining to air, naval and land assets.

The PNP remains headless with the resignation of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima in February weeks after the Mamasapano tragedy, which he allegedly participated in planning despite his suspension.

When Purisima was preventively suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman over his corruption allegations, Espina took over as the OIC in December 2013.

Espina became second in command when the PNP’s Deputy Director for Administration, Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr., retired in the same month.

Since his assumption of the post, the leadership of some police units has been affected as Espina could only appoint police officials as OICs.

“The Commission granted this additional authority to OIC Espina to assure speedy action of the PNP on applications for importation of firearms, explosives, ammunitions and other weapons systems submitted to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) by, or for and on behalf of, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Escueta said.

In an earlier Napolcom Resolution No. 2015-002 dated January 6, 2015, it authorized OIC Espina to approve and confirm various transactions, as follows:

*contracts involving procurement of services/resources by the PNP;

*approval of disbursements/payments of the PNP’s legitimate/regular financial transactions;

*authorization for the release of funds from the Agency Reserved Fund for fiscal year 2014;

*obligate funds from Trust Receipt;

*sign and counter-sign checks; and approve payroll and disbursement vouchers.

At the same time, Espina also enjoys the power to:

*exercise disciplinary authority as Chief, PNP;

*designate appropriate OICs for the various PNP offices/units;

*appoint PNP non-uniformed personnel with salary grade 24 and below;

*sign documents concerning payments of retirement benefits of personnel with pending administrative cases but who have complied with the requirements under pertinent laws and circulars;

*enter into or renew agreements concerning regular transactions of the PNP;

*and issue firearms licenses and permits pursuant to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Escueta said that the Napolcom resolutions were issued to authorize Espina to approve urgent activities, transactions and disbursements which, unless addressed immediately, may unduly cause damage and prejudice to the public or hamper the effective performance of the functions of the PNP. AC