BUSAN, South Korea (Eagle News Service) – The search for the next chief of the Philippine National Police is on.
During an interview with the Philippine media delegation in Busan, South Korea, President Aquino said regardless of the six-month suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman to PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima, he is already looking for a replacement of the PNP Chief since he is due to resign in November 2015.
The President also advised Purisima to abide by the suspension order of the Ombudsman over allegations of anomalous contract entered into by the PNP in 2011 with a courier service.
However, Aquino also recognized that it is within Purisima’s right to appeal the Ombudsman’s decision.
“Bottom line is, may utos ‘yung Ombudsman, he is — he will have to undergo the processes and one of them is this preventive suspension and the other aspect naman is like any other citizen, he has the right to defend himself” the President said.
“So, we will follow all of the processes and all the procedures mandated by law, number one. Number two, we also have to recognize that this person has rights that should also be protected,” he added
Aquino said that PNP’s officer in charge, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, is set to retire soon.
“General Espina will not be in the service that much longer. And General Purisima will reach 56 by 2015. So with or without this issue, we are now looking (for the next PNP chief),” Aquino said.
“We will look at the track record of all of the contenders,” the President added. (Weng dela Fuente, Eagle News Service)