Espina defends Purisima’s absence at PMA homecoming

Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina asked the public not to read too much into resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima’s absence at the annual homecoming of Philippine Military Academy alumni in Baguio City Saturday, saying he “may have his reasons.”

 

“Nagkataon lang, nagkataon lang, he may have his reasons,” Espina said Saturday night.

 

Espina said that while most PMA alumni make it a point to attend, that is not always possible due to assignments or other duties.

 

“Yung pagiging kumpleto, depende yun. You know pagka host class nagma-maximum attendance yan, pero hindi mo rin maiwasan na hindi kayo 100 percent complete kasi nga yung mga assignment namin o kaya yung pagkamaselan nung assignment namin na hindi namin puwedeng iwan for us to go up to Baguio, it all depends,” he said.

 

Purisima resigned earlier this month over the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that led to the death of 44 elite policemen. 

 

Also conspicuously absent was relieved Special Action Force chief Director Getulio Napeñas Jr., another classmate of Purisima and Espina, who was removed from his post after the Mamasapano clash. All three are from the PMA Class of 1981.

 

Meanwhile, despite temporarily assuming Purisima’s post as head of the PNP, Espina maintained that there is no awkwardness between him and Purisima.

 

“We are okay, we are okay, everybody is my friend. Walang awkward. Strong at harmonious ang batch,” he said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/JDS, GMA News