By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, April 16 (PNA) – PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., on Thursday clarifies that Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina remains officer in charge of the 150,000-strong Philippine National Police.
Cerbo gives reaction on the news reports that quoted “source” that Espina has tendered his resignation to the President last March.
He said that if Espina indeed resigned, the police force would be informed, considering the resignation has occurred a month ago.
”Wala pong ganyan sa official records ng PNP, wala kaming ganyang tala ng resignation ni Espina as OIC ng PNP, nakita nyo naman, nabasa nyo kung saan galing ito, sabi daw nila na wala namang kinilalang source. Yan ang opisyal na pahayag ng PNP,” he explained.
“According to the alleged resignation, si Gen Espina ay nag abot ng resignation letter sa Pangulo, perhaps hindi natin masasagot. Marahil si Gen Espina lang makapag confirm niyan. Nung March pa ito nangyari as alleged, bakit ngayon lang lumalabas. Officially wala kaming ganyan. Normally pag resignation, through channels icocourse, madami dadaanan,” he told the reporters.
Cerbo noted that the PNP will know it first if Espina will resign to his post but as of now he is still the OIC-PNP and in fact effective April 14 he was promoted to full time deputy PNP Chief for Administration.
”Siya (Espina) pa rin ang tumatayong OIC ng PNP. Kami ang unang makakaalam kung may pagbabago sa liderato ng PNP. Mula nung March nung alleged resignation and to note na effective April 14 na promote pa siya na fulltime deputy PNP chief for admin, hindi ko malaman paano mabibigyan ng logic itong alleged resignation,” he said.
“Normally, kapag may resignation, it will be through channels, maraming pagdadaanan,” he added, stressing that the police have no record of such allegations,” he noted.
Cerbo also said the alleged resignation of Espina has no logic because recently the National Police Commission (Napolcom) also authorizing Espina for additional authority as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Office of the Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP).
Recently, Napolcom Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta said that Resolution No. 2015-106 authorizes OIC Espina to approve and issue permits to import/transport ammunitions, explosives, firearms of any type/caliber, weapons systems and accessories attached or pertaining to air, naval and land assets.
“The Commission granted this additional authority to OIC Espina to assure speedy action of the PNP on applications for importation of firearms, explosives, ammunitions and other weapons systems submitted to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) by, or for and on behalf of, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Escueta said.
The Napolcom earlier issued Resolution No. 2015-002 dated January 6, 2015 authorizing OIC Espina to approve/confirm various transactions, as follows: contracts involving procurement of services/resources by the PNP; approval of disbursements/payments of the PNP’s legitimate/regular financial transactions; authorization for the release of funds from the Agency Reserved Fund for fiscal year 2014; obligate funds from Trust Receipt; sign and counter-sign checks; and approve payroll and disbursement vouchers.
OIC Espina is also authorized to exercise disciplinary authority as Chief, PNP; designate appropriate OICs for the various PNP offices/units; appoint PNP non-uniformed personnel with salary grade 24 and below; sign documents concerning payments of retirement benefits of personnel with pending administrative cases but who have complied with the requirements under pertinent laws and circulars; enter into or renew agreements concerning regular transactions of the PNP; and issue firearms licenses and permits pursuant to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Escueta said that the Napolcom Resolutions were issued to authorize OIC Espina to act on or approve urgent, necessary or time-bound disbursements/transactions/ activities which, unless addressed immediately, may unduly cause damage and prejudice to the public or hamper the effective performance of the functions of the PNP. (PNA)