Purisima receives suspension order from ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima has received the suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said yesterday.

“Na- serve na yung order (the suspension order has been served),” Roxas said in a text message.

But a staff at the office of the PNP chief reportedly refused to receive the order.

“Sir, for info. Order of Suspension of CPNP (chief PNP) is now posted at the main door of OCPNP. Duty personnel refused to receive the order,” The STAR learned.

On the inquiry on whether Deputy Director Leonardo Espina will take charge of the PNP during the suspension of Purisima, Roxas responded by text message, “Yes, okay.”

Espina was designated officer-in-charge from Dec. 6 until Dec. 9, supposedly the time while Purisima was on official trip abroad.

Purisima earlier designated Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr. to take charge but he retired on Dec. 5, allowing Espina to take over the helm of the PNP.

Purisima remains in his post, four days after he was slapped with the six-month suspension.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said they are still waiting for the order either from the Department of the Interior and Local Government or the National Police Commission to implement the six-month suspension order.

“We will wait for the orders of the DILG and the Napolcom after Dec. 9,” Mayor explained. “Technically, the suspension order against the PNP chief has not been served yet. The order should be coursed through either the DILG or the Napolcom. But we all know that Secretary Roxas is busy attending to the victims of Typhoon Ruby,” Mayor said.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday ordered the six-month suspension of Purisima and 17 other PNP officials involved in a courier service contract and missing rifles.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered Roxas to immediately implement the six-month suspension order against Purisima and the police officials and submit compliance reports within five days.

Another complaint was filed accusing Purisima of illegally acquiring his property in Talisay, Batangas.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) assisted Jose del Rosario in filing the complaint against Purisima before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

Del Rosario claimed to be one of the heirs of Crisanta Opo Malabanan who was the original owner of the 9.5-hectare land in Barangay Caloocan that Purisima supposedly brought.

Del Rosario said the title of the property was transferred to the name of Purisima and his wife without their knowledge.

Del Rosario said both titles are fake and was never signed by his father-in-law, Quirino Malabanan.

Mayor said the PNP chief would answer the charges filed by Del Rosario “at the right time.” – With Michael Punongbayan