By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, June 10 (PNA) – Malacanang on Wednesday assured that no special treatment is being given to resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made this assurance after Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. asked President Benigo Aquino III to fire Purisima.
Marcos also urged the President to file appropriate charges against Purisima for then suspended PNP chief’s role in the Mamasapano incident that killed 44 elite policemen.
”There is no special treatment for Gen. Purisima,” Coloma said in a text message to the media.
Coloma said the government will continue to bring justice for the members of the Special Action Force of the PNP.
For his part, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said there was no need for the President to fire Purisima since he already resigned as PNP chief.
”He has no responsibility anymore in the PNP, in the line organization. He does not hold any position, so I don’t know what Senator Bongbong Marcos is referring to,” Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang.
” The reports have all been there. Insofar as being part of the organization, in the line organization, he does not hold any role anymore. So let’s keep it at that,” Lacierda added.
Asked when the President will appoint replacement for Purisima, Lacierda said: “Let’s just wait for the appointment.”
”It’s in the process right now,” he added.
Despite the absence of the PNP chief, Lacierda said the police had been moving to perform their duties and responsibilities as protector of the people.
” You’ve seen, for instance, Secretary Mar Roxas’ launching… By the way, a ‘Safe Kam’ dito sa—or CCTVs (closed circuit television)— we have 32 cameras along the corner of EDSA and Taft Ave,” Lacierda said.
”We’re making the metropolis secured by also establishing certain areas in the metropolis of… Installing cameras where we’re able to monitor the situation in the busy sections of Metro Manila. That’s part of it,” he added. (PNA)