New NCRPO chief starts today

MANILA, Philippines -  Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima will be the new director of the 17,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) starting today.

Purisima will assume command of the NCRPO from Director Nicanor Bartolome during a simple turnover ceremony at 2 p.m. today at the NCRPO Grandstand at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Bartolome will take over the post of the Chief Directorial Staff (CDS), becoming the fourth highest official in the Philippine National Police. He is reportedly being groomed by the Aquino administration to be the next PNP chief when Director General Raul Bacalzo retires on Sept. 15 upon reaching the retirement age of 56. Bacalzo refused to give a hint on the identity of his successor.

Prior to his appointment as NCRPO director, Purisima was the chief of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) in Central Luzon.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’81, Purisima is a strong candidate to replace Bartolome as PNP chief, according to observers. He is reportedly close to President Aquino, having served as a member of the Presidential Security Group during the term of Aquino’s mother.

Purisima’s position, considered one of the juiciest posts in the PNP, will be assigned to Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao, whose post as Northern Police District director will be given to Chief Superintendent Antonio Decano.

The promotion of Bartolome and Purisima was triggered by the retirement last April 18 of Deputy Director General Perfecto Palad, the PNP’s deputy chief for administration and the police force’s second highest official.

Palad will be replaced by Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino, whose position as deputy chief for operation will be given to Deputy Director General Raul Castañeda.

The assumption of Bartolome and Purisima of the top posts at the CDS and NCRPO was delayed so as not to disrupt security preparations for the Holy Week and the Labor Day celebration yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, NCRPO’s spokesman, said Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr., the PNP’s deputy chief for operation, will be the guest of honor and speaker in today’s event.