PNP chief retiring on Dec. 18

MANILA, Philippines - Deputy Director Alan Purisima will assume his post as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief on Dec. 18, replacing Director General Nicanor Bartolome.

President Aquino yesterday said Bartolome “will be retiring” and that the turnover of command would be held on Dec. 18.

Bartolome is set to retire in March but has agreed to give way to a new PNP chief earlier as part of preparations for the May 2013 elections.

Purisima is currently chief of the directorate staff of the PNP and head of Task Force Halalan 2013 appointed by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Roxas said Bartolome voluntarily agreed to step down early so that this transition can happen five or six months before the elections in May 2013.

“We are very pleased at this smooth turnover of responsibilities in the PNP as it ends 2012 and looks forward to 2013 facing many challenges, most importantly the national elections,” Roxas said.

 Although the initial target for the turnover was Dec. 31, Roxas said several factors were considered in deciding to hold the turnover of command on Dec. 18.

“I’s a busy time. Actually the first target was Dec. 31 as the year ends but that would be right in the middle of the Christmas season and it’s more difficult to have a turnover with an organization as big as the PNP and with as many challenges as the PNP. It’s better that we do it during a more regular period rather than in the middle of the Christmas and New Year celebration,” he said.

Roxas said his marching orders for Purisima is to prioritize the police mandate, which is to serve and protect and ensure the safety of the people.

“We will continue the programs set by our Chief PNP, particularly the PNP Patrol Plan 2030,” Purisima said. “This will be used to better serve and protect the community through the PNP’s ‘Serbisyong Makatotohanan.’ That will be the motto of the PNP. This means each and every policeman will serve each and every member of the community with his full strength and vigor,” he said.

 Bartolome, for his part, said he would retire early to allow Purisima to get a four-star rank or director general, the highest rank in the police force.

 The PNP law states there should only be one four-star general in the active service.

“I am indeed happy to formally turn over the responsibility as chief of the PNP to a very well-rounded and very much-prepared senior officer in the person of Director General Alan Purisima,” Bartolome said.

 Bartolome said he would not go on non-duty status but would go for early retirement to allow Purisima full authority to head the 148,000-strong national police force.

 A native of San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, Purisima belonged to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1981. – Cecille Suerte Felipe