Takes criticisms in stride; bares solid scores vs. crime

LINGAYEN – “A challenge for us to perform much better this year.”

Thus did Sr. Supt. Alan LM Purisima, provincial police director, welcome criticisms leveled against the Pangasinan police command in the past two weeks for a supposed below par performance last year.

Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino particularly scored the provincial police for failing to come up to expectations in the fight against criminality as he noted the rise in criminal incidents specifically robbery hold-up and cattle rustling.

He was quoted by local media as expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the police. He might have referred generally to the police force in the province but local media commentators said he could also be directly addressing his concern to Purisima, whose earlier silence and unavailability for media interviews earned criticisms both from the governor’s office and the media.

Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis even advised him to be more transparent and be available for media interviews.

The provincial police director apparently took to heart Solis’ advice because the following week after the administrator aired his concern, Purisima was heard on radio being interviewed.

Taking exception to criticisms about the performance of the police, he fired off statistics to prove his point that his command performed well last year. He said that crime volume decreased from 2,308 in 2004 to 2,125 last year. Index crime, from 1,044 to 959; murder, from 226 to 171; homicide, from 72 to 60; rape, from 112 to 79.

Theft and robbery cases however rose from 98 in 2004 to 124 last year and drew media attention, factors which could have moved critics to conclude that the police performed below expectations, he noted.

Purisima said he was taking such criticisms in stride and accepted these as a challenge for the police to do better this year.

He added that he would propose to the sangguniang panlalawigan the passage of an ordinance that would require cattle buyers/sellers to secure permits from the local police as was done during the PC-INP days in the Marcos era, which, he said, greatly discouraged cattle-rustling. He added that he has directed his town police chiefs to coordinate with the municipal treasurers in the documentation of animals. (DOS/PIA)