Show of force by PNP at Senate

MANILA, Philippines – Camp Crame-based police officials came in full force to the Senate yesterday to demonstrate their support for their embattled chief Director General Alan Purisima, who faced grilling over his unexplained wealth as well as his apparent helplessness in the face of rising criminality.

An official clarified that Purisima did not require them to attend the hearing of the committee on public order chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, and that they decided to join the PNP chief to give him moral support.

Ranking PNP officials unanimously agreed to attend the Senate hearing during their command conference on Monday night held at the main conference room of the PNP national headquarters.

Purisima presided over the command conference, which was originally set at 2 p.m. Monday but was reset to 5 p.m. after President Aquino summoned the PNP chief. The command conference started a little past 7 p.m. and lasted an hour.

Purisima, who had just arrived from Bogota, Colombia for an official function, snubbed an invitation from the Senate to attend an earlier hearing last Sept.16.

During their command conference, Purisima acknowledged that criticism against him was dragging down the police organization.

“This attack is against me but it’s dragging the organization – but eventually they want me,” a source quoted Purisima as telling police officials present in the command conference.

Purisima told his officers the attack against him started after his leadership stepped up its campaign against criminality and implemented strict regulations on registration of firearms.

“Despite these attacks, I will not be discouraged from continuing the reform in the PNP organization and the campaign against criminality. Are you with me?” the PNP chief asked his men.

Purisima also warned police regional directors and other police commanders against engaging in illegal activities, particularly illegal gambling.

“I’ll be facing the Senate committee and I will face them to tell the truth,” Purisima told his officers.