Camp Crame, Quezon City
18 December 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III challenged the newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan La Madrid Purisima to uphold a peaceful election next year during the PNP Change of Command Ceremonies held in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

President Aquino expressed his assurance that Purisima will continue the reform initiated by outgoing PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome and will efficiently deliver his first marching order since the latter had personally headed the PNPs Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2013 program. Moreover, he said that his confidence on the newly installed PNP Chief traces back from the time when Purisima served under the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during President Corazon Aquino’s term in 1987.

“Buhat noon, hindi na po matatawaran ang aming naging samahan at ugnayan; wala man sa poder o katungkulan, alam naming masasandigan namin ang isat-isa,” the President said.

The President also lauded outgoing PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome for effectively instituting the PNP Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding of the Rule of Law (PATROL) Plan 2030, placing more than a hundred of most wanted criminals behind bars. He was conferred the Medalya ng Katapatan sa Paglilingkod Legion of Honor.

President Aquino was also pleased to know of the generosity each PNP personnel had shown when they agreed to cancel their Christmas party celebration and initiated a P50.00 donation which amounted to P7.5 million that will be forwarded to the victims of Typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

“Malinaw ang atas ng sambayanan sa buong kapulisan: ang maging ehemplo ng dangal, katarungan at pananagutan. Nawa’y ang paglisan ng isang mabuting pinuno, at ang paghalili ng isang bagong taga-timon ng PNP, ay magsilbing hudyat ng mas makabuluhan at mas mabilis na pag-arangkada, hindi lang ng mga pulis, kundi ng bawat lingkod bayan,” the President said in closing.

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