MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday evening that he has accepted the resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan Purisima.
“Tinatanggap ko po, effective immediately, ang resignation ni General Purisima. At nagpapasalamat ako sa mahabang panahon ng kanyang paglilingkod bago mangyari ang trahedyang ito,” the President said during his televised address to the nation.
Purisima was involved in the police operation to arrest terrorist suspects, Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Abu Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25, where 44 members of the police’s elite force died during an encounter with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Force and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters operation.
“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,” the President said.
President Aquino admitted that he was saddened by his decision.
Recalling Purisima’s role in protecting him during the attempted coup d’etat in 1987 during the term of then president Corazon Aquino, he said, “Mula noon, hanggang ngayon, marami kaming pinagdaanan; kasama ko siya sa pakikipagtunggali sa mga makapangyarihang interes na maaari kaming ipahamak. Noong mga panahong bahagi ako ng oposisyon, bagama’t peligroso sa kanyang karera ang pagiging malapit sa akin, hindi po ako iniwan ni Alan.”
“Kaya nga po, siguro naman ay maiintindihan ninyo kung bakit masakit para sa akin na aalis siya sa serbisyo sa ilalim ng ganitong pagkakataon,” he said.
National Police Chief Alan Purisima resigns
