Purisima left PNP chief post, not the police force – Binay

MANILA, Philippines – Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima may have left the agency’s chief post, but he’s not yet entirely out of the police force.

In a statement released on Saturday, February 7, Vice President Jejomar Binay said the embattled former PNP chief may not yet leave the police force.

“This is not allowed by law because of a pending complaint against him,” Binay said.

A graft complaint was filed last October before the Ombudsman against Purisima and 11 other police officials over the alleged misuse of gun owners’ courier fees. Two months after, he was slapped with a 6-month suspension order in relation to the case.

The Ombudsman clarified that Purisima and the other accused will not be paid their salaries for the duration of their suspension. Sources from the Office of the Ombudsman also said that Purisima may resign (as he did), but that this is “without prejudice to his criminal and administrative liabilities.” 

But apart from his salary, Binay said government should also withhold Purisima’s other benefits as a member of the police force.

“One of the penalties imposed by law on government employees is the forfeiture of their benefits from the government. Thus it should be clarified and emphasized that as long as the investigation is ongoing, Purisima should not be allowed to claim his benefits,” said Binay, also a lawyer and recently under fire for corruption allegations when he was Makati mayor.

President Benigno Aquino III announced on Friday that he had already accepted the resignation of Purisima, who was accused of leading the botched Mamasapano operation that killed 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers on January 25. The SAF troopers were after top terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan”, who was killed. His colleague Abdul Basit Usman got away and is being hunted by authorities.

In an interview with GMA-7’s 24 Oras, Purisima however denied commanding the ill-fated police operation, and said he was suspended at the time of the operation.

In his statement, Binay pointed out that Purisima’s pronouncements contradicted earlier testimonies that said Purisima was heavily involved in the operation despite his suspension.

“What Purisima said – and didn’t say – has only stoked the fears of our countrymen that the cover-up of the truth may have begun. It further underscores the need to create an independent fact-finding commission,” Binay said. – Rappler.com