This is the letter of Governor Victor Agbayani to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno as regards the relief of Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima as provincial director of Pangasinan. It is dated March 22, 2006
Dear Secretary Puno,

 This pertains to the sudden relief of PSSupt. Alan La Madrid Purisima as provincial director of Pangasinan provincial office effective March 22, 2006, reportedly due to the three-strike policey of the PNP and in conjunction with the alleged confiscation of slot machines on three occasions in the province by the Anti-Illegal Gambling Task Force or AIGSOTF.

 It has come to my attention that the members of the  AIFSOTF who conducted operations in this province were actually arrested earlier for extortion activities in San Manuel, Pangasinan. This same group I understand has been disbanded by the Chief PNP. We therefore respectfully ask, why should the basis of his relief be the reports of a discredited group?

 It is my observation that PSSupt. Purisima has performed professionally during the nine months he has been serving as PNP Provincial Director of the province.

 Allow me to point out that it is public knowledge in the province that under PSSupt. Purisima’s command, Pangasinan has been by and large jueteng-free. Likewise, during his tenure, a total of 247 slot machines locally known as hataw, ameneng and fruit games were confiscated and destroyed.

 Moreover, Col. Purisima has been undertaking operations to prevent more serious crimes. His relief, or changing horses in midstream so to speak, will disrupt and setback these operations and our efforts to preserve peace and order in the province.

 It is on these premises that we view his relief as unfair and counterproductive and therefore respectfully request that he be reinstated as the PNP Provincial Director of Pangasinan.

Very truly yours,

Victor E. Agbayani