An ocean of troubles

“He has explained himself and denies knowing the model,” says PNP Director General Alan Purisima, commenting on the case of “sexy” model Alyzza Agustin and Chief Supt. Alexander Ignacio. “I don’t think he’ll have any more trouble with the PNP, what he should be worried about is his wife.”

Ignacio got into hot water (with his wife, if not the PNP leadership) after Agustin posted on social media a photo of the police official’s calling card, thanking him for “rescuing” her from being cited for a traffic violation.

When a firestorm erupted over Agustin’s claim, the model apologized and denied even knowing Ignacio personally. She has since taken down her personal page.

In the wake of the controversy, the PNP spokesperson has warned traffic enforcers against being “influenced” by traffic violators who brandish police officials’ cards or claim to be “close” to them.

This may be but a tiny splash in the PNP chief’s ocean of troubles, but for Purisima it’s more proof that when it rains it pours. He needed the imbroglio over the FHM model’s post like he needed another mansion.

Two mansions, in fact, lie at the center of the maelstrom the PNP chief finds himself in. Although, to be fair, he denies they are mansions but only regular homes. One is the “White House” in Camp Crame that serves as Purisima’s quarters but will also house his successors. The other is a homestead in Nueva Ecija on which a 204-square-meter house stands, albeit with a swimming pool.

Both structures are now being used by detractors to “prove” allegations of corruption against the PNP chief, saying they are proofs of Purisima’s unexplained wealth.

But talking to some media people recently, Purisima dismisses the charges outright.

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“Police precincts around the country have been built, enlarged or refurbished with donations from the public,” he says. Thus, he adds, he sees nothing wrong in the involvement of three private companies who shouldered much of the expenses in renovating the “White House” which was inundated during the “Ondoy” floods.

Critics say this is a clear case of “conflict of interest,” although to my mind maybe we should wait and see if their donations win them any special concessions from the PNP before we jump to conclusions.

As for the Nueva Ecija estate or farm, Purisima told a press conference that the house on the 4.7-hectare property is an “ordinary house” that they “improved little by little over the years.” Adding that the media should weigh the assertions of his critics against his own defense, Purisima invited the media to “see the house for themselves.”

He has also been criticized for buying, at a “deep discount” a luxury Toyota Land Cruiser Prado which comes at the cheapest price of P2.98 million, but which he bought for only P1.5 million. The vehicle, it has been clarified, had been used as a “demonstration model,” which explains the huge price cut. As for riding around in a more expensive SUV with bullet-proof windows, Purisima said a friend has lent him the vehicle because he needed extra protection due to the many death threats sent his way.

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“Are you ready for all the heat?” P-Noy, says Purisima, asked him when last they met to plan the security arrangements for the Pope’s visit. “Just keep your cool,” the President advised him.

“I had hoped he would defend me,” admits the PNP chief, “but I did not expect him to be so vocal in coming to my defense.”

If the President feels compelled to speak up in defense of his police chief, it’s because their association dates back to P-Noy’s days in Malacañang during the term of his mother, President Cory. Noynoy would hang out with the PSG troops, and Purisima would join him during his shooting exercises. Purisima at the time was assigned to the special reaction unit, so he had plenty of time to hone his skills alongside the then President’s son as they waited for emergencies to erupt.

A PMA graduate (Class ’81), Purisima has put in his requisite time with the police force, joining it after choosing to enlist with the Philippine Constabulary (precursor of the PNP) after his military training. “There is a difference in discipline and training,” he says when asked if his PMA stint figured in his ascent to the top PNP leadership.

His own personal mantra of leadership, he says, is “stability under pressure,” a mantra he must call to mind frequently these days as he withstands the scrutiny and skepticism of legislators, critics and a hostile public.

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“Why should I resign? I have a duty to fulfill,” was Purisima’s reply when asked if he had ever been tempted to leave the police force before his remaining year or so in office is over.

His main duty, he says, is to “improve discipline in the police force,” and he is confident that once members of the force “realize what is required of them in their job,” they will toe the line.

Who could be orchestrating the flood of charges and investigations he finds himself in? Purisima says he is “aware” of who these people are, people “who want me out of my post,” and who would conceivably benefit from his removal.

Despite the bad news crowding the front pages about instances of police misbehavior (the Edsa “hulidap,” for one; and reports of kidnappings of Chinese and Korean residents), Purisima says a study of the statistics would show in fact a slide in the number of police-related crimes. “The thing is, more and more complaints are being filed now because people are confident we will investigate them.”

When his term is over the police chief says he will go into farming, chicken farming in particular, where the profits are “good.” Meantime, he has scalawags and criminals, especially drug lords, to run after.