PMA honors PNP OIC Espina a month before retirement

Philippine National Police OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina was awarded with testimonial honors at the Philippine Military Academy, a report from GMA's “Balitanghali” said Saturday.

 

According to the report, Espina arrived at the PMA in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City around 8:40 a.m. where he was first welcomed with arrival honors by the PMA administration led by Lt. Gen. Oscar Lopez, PMA superintendent.

 

This was followed by a testimonial parade conducted by the PMA Cadet Corps.

 

Lopez said testimonial honors are only given to PMA graduates who achieve the highest rank in the uniformed services like the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

 

However, he said Espina, though only an OIC and technically not a full-fledged PNP chief was an exception for he demonstarted the PMA's motto of courage, integrity and loyalty.

 

Lopez said Espina proved this with how he handled himself and the situation during the Senate hearings following the Mamasapano clash last January where 44 police commandos were slain in a covert mission in Maguindanao.

 

In one of those hearings, Espina became emotional and broke down while asking the Moro Islamic Liberation Front representatives why his men were killed even after they already surrendered.

 

Meanwhile, in his speech, Espina thanked his family and those who supported him during his nearly four decades of service with the PNP.

 

The testimonial honors come a month prior to Espina's retirement.

Espina was appointed officer-in-charge of the PNP after Director General Alan Purisima was suspended in relation to a graft case. Purisima has since resigned as PNP chief but is still a member of the national police. — Andrei Medina/JDS, GMA News