Purisima takes over top PNP post

By GIAN C. GERONIMO, GMA News

Published December 18, 2012 11:26am

(Updated 1:24 p.m.) It's now official. Deputy Director General Alan Purisima is the new chief of the Philippine National Police, replacing Director General Nicanor Bartolome who opted to retire three months ahead of his scheduled retirement in March next year. The PNP change of command was presided over by President Benigno Aquino III during turnover ceremonies at Camp Crame Tuesday. Purisima, the 18th chief of the National Police, belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981, which counts a number of officers holding sensitive posts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. On the other hand, Bartolome belongs to PMA Class of 1980. In his inaugural speech, Purisima said one of his priorities will be to determine the roles and functions of each police officer in the service who will be “resolutely bonded by the PNP core values and principles.”

Purisima said the significance of determining the best type of job a police officer will be avoiding confusion on who should that what job in the PNP. It will also be a gauge to see how the resources of the PNP are being utilized.

“Sa ganitong pamamaraan, maiiwasan natin ang kalituhan sa pagganap ng tungkulin. Maiiwasan din natin ang pag-iwan ng isang trabaho dahil nautusan pang gumawa ng ibang bagay,” he said.

“Dahil dito, madali nang matutukoy ang nakakagawa at hindi nakakagawa sa kaniyang tungkulin. Mailalagay na din natin sa tamang gawain ang mga karapat-dapat sa bawat trabaho. Sa wikang ingles, ‘putting round pegs in round holes,’” Purisima continued.

He also mentioned the implementation of the “no multitasking policy” which he said was introduced and implemented in the ranks of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) where the unique role for each position will affect the overall attainment of a unit’s mission.

“Kaya’t pag mapurol ang cutting edge o talim na ito, mapurol din at depektibo ang serbisyong ibibigay ng buong kapulisan. Ngunit kapag matalim at maayos ito, nangangahulugan na ang kapulisan ay tapat sa tungkulin at nagbibigay ng serbisyong makatotohanan,” Purisima said.

“I will be strict when it comes to implementation and I will expect nothing but the best results,” he added.

However, Purisima said that while he demands “commitment and excellence” from the PNP, he will also equally focus on providing (police officers) the appropriate support,” such as providing skills training that would be needed.

Enhancing the competence of each police officer will be of great importance, Purisima said, and will be attained through a “strategic focus” which will involve instilling discipline as well as promoting excellence and professionalism in the police force.

At the beginning of his speech, Purisima said it was every police officer’s dream of eventually becoming PNP chief and admitted that the honor had once also crossed his mind.

Admitting that he was celebrating this “dream and moment,” Purisima acknowledged that there is still work to be done.

“But as I bask in glory, I am well aware that this moment is but a moment and the hard work is about to begin,” he said. 'In good hands'

Meanwhile, Bartolome said he was stepping down from his post “confident” that the PNP will be in good hands.

“Sa pagbaba ko sa pwesto ngayon, panatag ang loob ko na iiwanan ko ang ating kapulisan na higit na may dangal at kakayahan, higit na may tiwala sa sarili at masigasig magserbisyo sa sambayanan,” he said.

“I now leave the reins of the PNP to my worthy successor, Dir. Gen. Alan La Madrid Purisima, with gratitude and fulfilment in my heart,” he added.

Bartolome was originally scheduled to retire March 16 next year when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. He retired from the service early to pave the way for a smooth transition of the PNP leadership in time for the May 2013 elections.

In his speech, Bartolome enumerated several accomplishments of the PNP since taking over over the post in September last year, such as the promotion of rights-based policing, the enhancement of procurement, financial and logistic management systems; and intensified crackdowns against criminals.

Although Bartolome said 15 months “may not have been enough” and that he has “a heart made heavy with the fact I could have done more,” he ended his speech by saying he will never forget what it means to be a police officer.

“Ako po si Nicanor Ancheta Bartolome na sa pagbaba ko sa pwesto ngayong araw na ito, sa pagsisimula ko muli ng buhay sibilyan, mananatili sa aking puso, isip at diwa ang mga katagang minsa’y naging ‘Pulis Ako, Pulis Nyo Po,’” he said. — RSJ, GMA News

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