Roxas: DILG to heed suspension order for Purisima

MANILA, Philippines – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II said he would heed the Office of the Ombudsman’s order to suspend Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima.

In an interview aired over Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, December 6, Roxas said he had already reported to President Benigno Aquino III on the order. The PNP is under the DILG.

“Executory naman ang utos ng Ombudsman. So ipapatupad naman iyon,” said Roxas. (The Ombudsman’s order is executory. We will follow it.)

Purisima’s preventive suspension stems from a graft complaint over an alleged anomalous deal in the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO). Several other police officials, including some generals, were also suspended for 6 months over the same FEO deal. (READ: Ex-PNP general denies links to ‘shady’ deal)

When the Ombudsman’s order came out, Purisima was in Saudi Arabia on an official trip. The PNP chief returned to the country over the weekend but will be reporting for work on Monday, December 8.

His suspension comes the same week as the retirement of the PNP’s number 2 cop, Police Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr. With Rojas retired and Purisima suspended, Roxas said the PNP’s number 3, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, will take over the PNP until Purisima arrives.

Espina is currently the deputy director for operations in the PNP.

Roxas, who is currently in Borongan to lead preparations for Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), emphasized that the PNP’s operations would not cease despite Purisima’s suspension.

“The PNP is bigger than any one person, than Mar Roxas, Alan Purisima or anyone. Buong puwersa ng PNP nakatutok, ang police natin, bumbero nilalagay nila ang sarili nila sa kapahamakan para bantayan ang seguridad at tuloy-tuloy naman iyan kung sino man ang OIC or Chief PNP,” he said.

(The entire force of the PNP is focused on Ruby. The police, firemen – they’re putting themselves in danger to ensure everyone’s safety and security. That will continue regardless of who the officer-in-charge or chief PNP is.)

Roxas, reacting to reports that Purisima will contest the Ombudsman’s decision, said it was the right of the PNP chief.

“Sa DILG, sa Napolcom, it’s executory, in fact mandatory yan na i-execute, kesyo mayor ka or official ka, iyan ang nangyayari,” he said. (From the DILG and National Police Commission’s perspective, it’s executory. It’s mandatory that we execute the Ombudsman’s orders whether you’re a mayor or official. That is what happens.)

The DILG chief, who reportedly doesn’t see eye to eye with Purisima, said his suspension was neither welcome or unwelcome.

“Hindi naman whether welcome or unwelcome yan. It’s just a fact, nagpalabas ng lawful and legal order ang Ombudsman, so kailangan lang natin sundin,” said Roxas. (It’s not about whether it’s welcome or unwelcome. It’s just a fact that the Ombudsman released a lawful and legal order so we just have to follow.)

There are two other complaints against Purisima pending before the Ombudsman – another for his alleged misdeclaration of a property in Nueva Ecija and a third one over the construction of the “White House” inside Camp Crame. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com