BY DANNY O. SAGUN

WE were hardly surprised by the news Thursday morning that Sr. Supt Alan LM Purisima had been relieved on orders of higher headquarters. But the reason we have in mind may not exactly be what the PNP authorities have in relieving him.

To recall, the provincial government was not exactly enthusiastic about his presence and performance here, at least in the past months. In the first place, he came in as PD even if he was not on the governor’s preferred list of police provincial directors to be assigned here after Supt. Mario Sandiego left the post.

Secondly, Agbayani was incensed at the series of robberies in the highways that ensued during Purisima’s watch late last year. People felt no longer secure in the streets, and in their homes, as criminals seemed to operate with impunity. To compound the mess, hataw and ameneng illegal videogame machines were everywhere, luring so many kids to their games of chance, making them skip classes or behaving differently as a result.

When the governor issued two directives to Purisima to step up the campaign against criminality, we thought that was it, that Purisima’s days in Pangasinan were numbered.

We could not recall Agbayani ever doing that before, practically admonishing a PD, with a stern directive to do something about crime. Police officers are supposed to know their job; they do not have to be told or reminded about it.

Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis, we remember, also advised him to be more transparent and be accessible to the media for interviews. To cap the “displeasure” of local officialdom, Vice Gov Oscar Lambino rated Purisima’s performance poorly.

These factors and situations, we guess, might have had some bearing on the sudden relief of the police officer.

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That is why we could not help but raise an eyebrow when we heard over the radio that the governor was asking Camp Crame to explain or clarify the matter. We also doubted reports being floated that Purisima stepped on some sensitive toes that led to his removal.

Some reports said gambling operators hurt by Purisima’s stepped up campaign against illegal videogame machines worked for his transfer. Now, if we go by that claim, what would that make of PNP Chief Arturo Lomibao, himself a Pangasinense? That his decisions on reassignments of his men are influenced by shady power-brokers? I refuse to believe that of our Top-Cop kabaleyan..

Whatever the reason for Purisima’s sudden banishment, we think the province should let go of him and scout for a police officer who is dedicated to his job, can work harmoniously with local officials and freely interact with media.

He must also be brave and principled to face off with any shady character and fend off offers or temptations for easy money. And he must not be onion-skinned to media and public criticisms.