By LIWAY M. YPARRAGUIRREPStar Associate Editor

LINGAYEN – Is Police Provincial Director Alan L.M.Purisima now really on his way out?

This is the question that spread on the weekend as broad hints of Purisima’s relief were dropped by the top invited guests during the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office’s (PPPO) celebration last Thursday of the 16th PNP Foundation Anniversary.

Without categorically mentioning the imminent transfer of Purisima, Police Provincial Director Region 1 Police Director Leopoldo N. Bataoil described the latter as “a very, very respectable and very effective commander” even as he thanked the members of the PPPO for its accomplishments last year that contributed much to the regional police office’s winning the Best Police Regional Office Nationwide for year 2006.

Of Purisima, Bataoil said: “He is an operations and intelligence man whom I’ve known for so long a time. He made waves and good name for the PNP when he was with the PACER. To this date, his name reverberates in the field of anti-kidnap for ransom operations.”

Virtually confirming the transfer, he added: “His eventual return in Manila, if ever, will surely bring fear (to) the minds and hearts of those criminal elements and this is again a fitting occasion for a commander of such caliber who served our province well in that capacity.”

The reassignment was also somehow confirmed by Purisima himself in his speech before he introduced Agbayani.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone for supporting me in serving Pangasinan for at least one year and eight months. To our policemen who endeavored to work hard making PPPO the best in Region 1, thank you very much,” he said.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. I hope I can work with you for a longer time,” he stated.

After the anniversary program, Gov. Victor Agbayani, the affair’s guest of honor and speaker, Bataoil and Purisima had a closed door meeting at the latter’s office.