PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima admitted he was “hurt” by the media tour of his controversial house in Nueva Ecija town.
Interviewed at 11 a.m. the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Purisima, who had been trying to avoid talking to reporters, said the media tour at his house was nevertheless necessary to clarify issues about his personal wealth.
“Medyo masakit po yun pero it’s normal na kailangan talaga ipakita para malinawan ang lahat (It’s a bit painful but it’s understandable that the house needs to be shown to the public to enlighten everyone),” Purisima said.
He said his 204-square meter house with a swimming pool was just an “ordinary house improved through the years” and is not worth P50 million.
His critics have accused him of building a mansion in Nueva Ecija and failing to declare it in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
The PNP chief has been staying in Cebu since Monday, attending several civic activities together with members of the Freemasons in Cebu.
Despite the corruption charges leveled against him, Purisima called on police officers in Central Visayas to uphold their mandate of serving and protecting the public.
“I’d like to think amidst all the doubts and challenges I and the police face that our men and women remain steadfast and committed to the pursuit of our mandated duties by upholding our police ideals, service honor and justice,” he told the police during an awards ceremony for 10 outstanding police officers held at Camp Sergio Osmeña.
A statement of support was read by Senior Supt. Prudencio Bañas during the ceremony. The embattled PNP director said he was heartened by the gesture of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7).
Purisima later attended the signing of the agreement between the Cebu provincial government and the PNP for the donation of a 5,000 square meter province-owned lot in sitio Sudlon, barangay Lahug in Cebu City.
“I always find it important to seek ways to lift the morale of our police personnel all over the country, to constantly motivate them, to never cease or falter from serving and protecting the community despite all the odds,” Purisima said in his speech.
Among those who received awards were SPO1 Jennifer Cabando Anastacio of Bohol Provincial Police Office and PO1 Mark Wilson Roa of the Cebu City Police Office.
Anastacio returned P100,000 to the Armed Forces and Police Savings Loan Association Inc. last month, after AFPSLAI accidentally gave her a larger amount stated in her loan transaction.
Roa became popular in social networking sites after a grateful elderly motorist who he helped change a car tire along Juan Luna Avenue posted his photo on Facebook.
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