Poe to PNP: It’s a leadership issue

Sen. Grace Poe – Llamanzares. Photo from Poe’s official Facebook page.

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public order, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is incapable in fulfilling its duty to the country and needs a stronger leader.

“Kahit gumawa pa kami ng isang libong batas, kung ang magpapairal nito eh may kakulangan sa kumpyansa ng kinasasakupan, mahihirapan tayong ipairal yan,” Poe said in an interview.

Senator Poe restated her call for Purisima to take an administrative leave, with plunder, graft, and indirect bribery charges against him.

“Ito kasi – track record at diretsong dokumento ng SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) – ay masyadong malakas na dahilan para sabihin na ‘Suriin muna nating mabuti, bago makaladkad ang institusyon sa mas masamang lugar,” Poe said.

According to the senator, with criminal charges against Purisima and the perceived poor performance of the PNP, the institution may need a more capable leader and not one who is constantly flying abroad unable to attend the hearings on him.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang mga kaso diyan. Na parang gusto mo ng magsabi na, ‘Maglagay tayo ng isang simbolo ng pwedeng igalang at katakutan ng mga pulis dahil ang hinahanap lang naman nila eh yung matitingala nila. It’s a leadership issue,” Poe said.

“Importante ang mga continuing education para matuto tayo, pero kapag tinignan niyo yung schedule, mayroong Columbia, tapos babalik siya ulit sa San Francisco shortly after the hearing. Tapos pupunta naman siya sa Florida,” Poe added.

Purisima is currently in Bogota, Columbia, where he is attending an anti-kidnapping and anti-extortion consultaition.

“Sa aking palagay, ang isang pinuno, siguro lalong-lalo na kapag may krisis na ganito, eh wala ka talagang karapatang mag-aaalis ng bansa,” Poe said.

“Siguro naman mayroong within the PNP na pwede nating pagkatiwalaan muna habang sinusuri ito,” she added.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac refused to comment on Purisima’s trips abroad, instead he argued that the chief should be given a chance to explain himself when he returns from his official trips abroad.

Presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery, and a former PNP chief himself, Panfilo Lacson, suggested that Purisima and President Aquino should sit down and talk about the allegations. And if they are untrue, then it should be explained to the public.

Otherwise, Lacson said, “Wala nang ibang choice kundi i-spare niya ang Pangulo sa mga problema na hinaharap niya at siya na mismo ang mag-offer na kundi magbakasyon, mag-resign na as chief PNP.”

With report from Cyra Moraleda