MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police chief director general Alan Purisima has “acknowledged” a preventive suspension order issued against him by the Ombudsman as it investigates an alleged anomalous deal between the police force and a courier service.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, who made the statement in a press briefing on Wednesday, December 10, said Purisima has no plans of “defying” the suspension order but is seeking “legal remedies” through his own team of lawyers.

With Purisima suspended, the next highest official in the command group, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, is officer-in-charge of the PNP.

Mayor said, however, that they are still waiting for official orders from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) that would designate Espina as the OIC while Purisima is suspended.

Purisima on Friday, December 5, filed a motion before the Court of Appeals to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Ombudsman’s suspension order. (READ: Purisima’s defense in TRO suspension: Arias doctrine)

Through his lawyer, the PNP chief on Tuesday also insisted that it was “patently illegal” for the Ombudsman to order the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to serve the suspension since it’s the NAPOLCOM who has administrative supervision over the PNP.

The PNP spokesman said Purisima was in his official residence – the “White House” – when they spoke earlier Wednesday. The “White House” also happens to be the basis of one of the charges filed against the PNP chief before the Ombudsman. 

Mayor clarified that Purisima’s moves – his motion for a TRO and “legal position” on the suspension – should not be interpreted as rebuffing the Ombudsman’s order because just like any citizen, the PNP chief is entitled to seek legal remedies.

“The proceedings of the PNP as an organization is different from the proceedings the PNP chief is availing of,” added Mayor. – Rappler.com