(CNN Philippines) — Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina has submitted his resignation letter as officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
President Benigno Aquino III himself confirmed on Friday (April 17) the report that earlier came out, attributed only to “sources,” that Espina has quit.
But Aquino said he would only accept the resignation once a replacement had been found for the top PNP post .
“As of this time, ‘yung we are conducting various interviews and checks on the various candidates,” he added. “I will beg everybody’s patience on this matter. It was not projected that we will be changing the chief [of the] PNP at this point, in 2015. We were thinking that it would be at the end of 2015 where we would have to change the chief [of the] PNP.
He said Espina, who is turning 56 in July, would have only three months to serve before another chief is selected.
“[The] transition between two does not do the service ay good. So on that basis, he did submit his resignation,” Aquino said.
“Director Espina is a very honorable person and he loves the institution and he loves the service, and he loves the country,” he said.
Also on Friday, Espina said in a statement that he tendered his resignation letter because he didn’t want to get in the way of the President Aquino’s free hand in appointing a new Chief PNP.
“I am, therefore, humbled by the continued expression of trust and confidence of President Benigno S Aquino III in reaffirming my continued designation as PNP Officer-in-Charge,” Espina said.
He also I urged the PNP to rally behind the new leader whom Aquino will name soon.
“Until then, as your officer-in-charge, I am duty-bound to lead the organization as we continue to move on.”
A day before, on Thursday, Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said it made no sense for Espina to resign, having just been promoted as full-time deputy chief for administration, the second highest PNP post.
Cerbo also cited the fact that earlier this April, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) even granted Espina additional authority to approve and issue permits for the import and transport of ordnance, to carry out disciplinary measures and to release funds.
However, Cerbo said, if the alleged resignation did take place verbally and privately between Espina and the president, only the two officials can confirm or deny the matter.
Espina has been serving as officer-in-charge since December after then PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima was slapped with a six-month suspension order by the Office of the Ombudsman over graft, plunder, and indirect bribery charges.
Purisima later resigned in February in the wake of the Mamasapano firefight on January 25, which left 44 police commandos dead.
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario and Gerg Cahiles and the Philippine News Agency contributed to this report.
