PNoy accepts Purisima’s resignation, effective immediately

Suspended PNP Chief Alan Purisima with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — (UPDATED) “Tinatanggap ko po, effective immediately, ang resignation ni General Alan Purisima.”

(I am accepting, effective immediately, General Alan Purisima’s resignation.)

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, in his recently concluded speech Friday night, officially accepted Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Alan Purisima’s resignation — effective immediately.

Aquino recalls Purisima’s role in the hunt for most wanted terrorists ‘Marwan’ and ‘Usman.’

“Naging malaking bahagi din po ng layunin nating tugisin sina Marwan at Usman ang papel ni General Alan Purisima. Marami siyang iniambag sa mahabang proseso at maraming operasyon na pinlano para dito,” Aquino said.

([Purisima] played a big part in our goal of hunting down ‘Marwan’ and ‘Usman.’ He contributed a lot in the long process and the many operations laid out for this goal.)

Aquino also noted the General’s loyalty to him and his family even when they were ambushed in the 80’s during the attempted coup d’etat against the late President Cory Aquino. According to PNoy, Purisima designed and implemented a “modified VIP protection course” to ensure their safety. Aquino even said that Purisima trained them for said course.

“Dahil nga po halos naubos ang mga kasamahan ko, nayanig ang aking kompiyansa… malaki ang naitulong nito [modified VIP protection course] sa panunumbalik ng aking kompiyansa.”

(Because my security detail was almost depleted, my confidence was shaken… [The modified VIP protection course] was of big help in restoring my confidence.)

The Commander in Chief also recalled when he was still part of the opposition and how Purisima decided to stand by his side, despite possible dangers of being against the current powers-that-be.

“Noong mga panahong bahagi ako ng oposisyon, bagama’t peligroso sa kanyang karera ang pagiging malapit sa akin, hindi po ako iniwan ni Alan,” he added.

(When I was part of the opposition, even though it was perilous for his career to be connected to me, Alan never left me.)

With a heavy heart, Aquino shared his own sentiments on Purisima’s resignation.

“Kaya nga po, siguro naman ay maiintindihan ninyo kung bakit masakit para sa akin na aalis siya sa serbisyo sa ilalim ng ganitong pagkakataon… At nagpapasalamat ako sa mahabang panahon ng kanyang paglilingkod bago mangyari ang trahedyang ito.”

(That’s why, I hope all of you will understand why it is painful for me that he has to leave [the law enforcement] service in this circumstance… And I am grateful for his lengthy service even before this tragedy happened.)