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Espina turns emotional as he ‘signs off’ from police service
By XIANNE ARCANGEL, GMA News
(Updated 2:36 p.m.) Retiring Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina turned emotional as he bade farewell to the police force to which he has dedicated more than three decades of his life.
At the PNP change of command ceremony in Camp Crame on Thursday, Espina became teary-eyed after thanking his family, friends and colleagues, whom he said have helped him throughout his 38-year service in the armed service.
At the PNP change of command ceremony in Camp Crame on Thursday, Espina became teary-eyed after thanking his family, friends and colleagues, whom he said have helped him throughout his 38-year service in the armed service.
“It truly pains me to think that I wouldn't be seeing you anymore,” he told his colleagues, his voice cracking.
At the end of his speech, Espina said: "I now sign off, I will miss you dearly, good bye all."
Espina was appointed officer-in-charge of the PNP after Director General Alan Purisima was suspended in December in relation to a graft case.
In February, President Benigno Aquino III accepted Purisima's resignation as PNP chief following the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash where 44 members of the elite PNP Special Action Force were killed.
In late June, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Purisima and 10 other police officers for entering into an allegedly anomalous contract with courier service Werfast Documentary Agency (Werfast) in 2011.
In February, President Benigno Aquino III accepted Purisima's resignation as PNP chief following the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash where 44 members of the elite PNP Special Action Force were killed.
In late June, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Purisima and 10 other police officers for entering into an allegedly anomalous contract with courier service Werfast Documentary Agency (Werfast) in 2011.
Both Espina and Purisima belong to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981.
Home for good
While saddened by his retirement, Espina urged the 160,000-strong police force to rally behind their new chief, Police Director Ricardo Marquez.
He vouched for Marquez’s competence, whom he described as “very industrious (napakasipag).”
"Continue leading your men in fighting against crime. With you, the PNP is in very very good hands,” Espina told the new PNP chief.
At the beginning of his speech, Espina thanked President Benigno Aquino III for the trust and confidence given to him to lead the PNP “for the past rather challenging seven months.”
Turning personal, Espina also thanked Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for traveling up to Baguio to attend his testimonial parade last June, a month before his retirement.
“Despite the late notice and despite you being under the weather, it shows your great and genuine concern to your men. You go to the sideline just to congratulate me and my family, friends, and even played the role as our official photographer,” Espina told Roxas.
As he returns to civilian life, Espina promised to his family that he will make up for the lost time with them while he was in active service. He told his three sons he will now be “going back home” to them for good.
“I know you tried hard to understand papa’s work though you cannot fully understand. I will spend the rest of my life seeing you through well and make up with lost time to the best I could,” he told his family. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News
Home for good
While saddened by his retirement, Espina urged the 160,000-strong police force to rally behind their new chief, Police Director Ricardo Marquez.
He vouched for Marquez’s competence, whom he described as “very industrious (napakasipag).”
"Continue leading your men in fighting against crime. With you, the PNP is in very very good hands,” Espina told the new PNP chief.
At the beginning of his speech, Espina thanked President Benigno Aquino III for the trust and confidence given to him to lead the PNP “for the past rather challenging seven months.”
Turning personal, Espina also thanked Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for traveling up to Baguio to attend his testimonial parade last June, a month before his retirement.
“Despite the late notice and despite you being under the weather, it shows your great and genuine concern to your men. You go to the sideline just to congratulate me and my family, friends, and even played the role as our official photographer,” Espina told Roxas.
As he returns to civilian life, Espina promised to his family that he will make up for the lost time with them while he was in active service. He told his three sons he will now be “going back home” to them for good.
“I know you tried hard to understand papa’s work though you cannot fully understand. I will spend the rest of my life seeing you through well and make up with lost time to the best I could,” he told his family. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News
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