Malacañang urges public to avoid speculation on search for next PNP chief

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. (Photo by Robert Viñas/Rodolfo Manabat/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. has urged the public not to engage in guesswork as to the motives for the search for a new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

Speaking over radio dzRB, Coloma said that President Benigno Aquino III clearly told reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit that the search for a new PNP chief was being undertaken because PNP Director General Alan Purisima and his deputies, Felipe Rojas and Leonardo Espina, are scheduled for retirement in 2015.

Coloma added that no although timetable has been given as to the selection of a new chief, Aquino is already considering the process of succession, and that the temporary appointment of an officer-in-charge (OIC) should not be made an issue.

“Wala pong binanggit na timetable pero sinabi niya na kinokonsidera na ‘yung succession kung sino po ang magiging pinuno ng Philippine National Police habang ipinapaalam sa lahat na hindi po isyu o hindi po dapat na magkaroon ng kahit ano mang agam-agam dahil sa pagkakaroon ng OIC. ‘Yan po ang malinaw na pahayag ng ating Pangulo, (There was no timetable mentioned but he (Aquino) said that he is considering the succession as to who will be the head of the Philippine National Police whike he also wants everyone to know that the appointment of an OIC should not be an issue and should not be surrounded by speculation.  This is what the Presidetn clearly stated.), ” Coloma said.

The Office of the Ombudsman had earlier placed Purisima on preventive suspension due to the allegations of corruption relative to transactions with Werfast Documentary Agency.

Meanwhile, Espina has taken the post as PNP chief OIC.