Purisima returns as police prov’l director
LINGAYEN – The sacked police provincial director is back.
The reinstatement of Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima as police provincial director of Pangasinan effective April 3 was confirmed by both Chief PNP Arturo Lomibao and Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
Evidently, Purisima managed to clear his name over the three-strike policy of the police against illegal gambling within his area of jurisdiction.
An investigation conducted by the Police Regional Office showed that the three-strike policy of the police on illegal gambling machines, such as slot machines or “hataw” and fruit games, locally called ‘ameneng’ did not apply to him (Purisima) since one strike did not appear legitimate.
Police Regional Director Alfredo de Vera affirmed that only the operations against gambling operations in Urdaneta and Alcala were found valid.
Purisima was ordered relieved last March 22.
But Gov. Victor Agbayani immediately wrote Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno to protest Purisima’s relief and requested for the latter’s reinstatement.
Solis said Purisima already called on Gov. Victor Agbayani and the two agreed to accelerate the campaign against criminality particularly illegal drugs, robbery, illegal gambling and cattle rustling to ensure a more stable peace in the province.
Lomibao said he also deemed that Purisima returned to his old post for him to continue his programs and projects in Pangasinan before taking his promotion in assignment as deputy director of the Eastern Police District in Manila.
For his part, Purisima said he’ll just consider his almost two-week absence in Pangasinan from March 22 to April 2 merely as his vacation, not a relief.
He said he has an unfinished task in Pangasinan and will continue to support every municipal and city police chiefs in their campaigns against all forms of lawlessness in their areas.
Solis expressed confidence that the return of Purisima to his old post will result in a smoother flow of operations in the Police Provincial Office.
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