NAPOLCOM gives additional powers to PNP OIC Espina

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has recently granted additional authorities to Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, including the power to issue permit for the importation and transportation of explosive devices.

 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NAPOLCOM vice chairman and executive officer Eduardo Escueta said NAPOLCOM, through its recently approved Resolution No. 2015-106, authorizes Espina to approve and issue permits for the importation or transportation of “ammunitions, explosives, firearms of any type/caliber, weapons systems and accessories attached or pertaining to air, naval and land assets”.

 

“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 a separate resolution issued on January 6, the NAPOLCOM has likewise granted Espina the authority to approve and to confirm various transactions.

 

Under Resolution No. 2015-002 Espina is authorized to approve and confirm transactions pertaining to the following:

-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

-approve payroll and disbursement vouchers

 

Resolution No. 2015-002 likewise authorizes Espina to perform the following functions:

 

-exercise disciplinary authority “as Chief PNP”

-designate appropriate officers-in-charge (OICs) for the various PNP offices and 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

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

 

Escueta said the issuance of these two resolutions aim to ensure that necessary transactions of the PNP that may affect the public will not be hampered.

 

“The NAPOLCOM Resolutions were issued to authorize OIC Espina to act on or approve urgent, necessary or time-bound disbursements/transactions/ activities which, unless addressed immediately, may unduly cause damage and prejudice to the public or hamper the effective performance of the functions of the PNP,” Escueta said.

 

Espina has been serving as the officer-in-charge of the PNP since the Office of the Ombudsman on December 4, 2014 ordered the suspension of Director General Alan Purisima as PNP chief.

 

The Ombudsman's suspension order was in relation to a plunder complaint filed against Purisima and some other police officials for the alleged anomalous contract the PNP entered into with a courier service in 2011.

 

On February 6, Purisima announced his resignation as PNP chief following the bloody Mamasapano incident on January 25 that led to the death of over 60 people.

 

President Benigno Aquino III has yet to name the replacement of Purisima as PNP chief. —NB, GMA News