Purisima ‘acknowledges’ preventive suspension –PNP spokesman

Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima has acknowledged the suspension order issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman, PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said Wednesday.

At a press briefing, Mayor said Purisima is now awaiting for the official order from the National Police Commission (Napolcom), which his camp said was the proper authority to serve the order and not the Department of Interior and Local Government.

"Considering situation ngayon, nakausap ko si chief PNP, and he acknowledges the preventive suspension," he said.

Mayor said they are expecting the order to be released within the day.

Should an order be made by the Napolcom, PNP Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina would act as PNP chief, Mayor said.

Despite the acknowledgement, Purisima will still avail of "legal remedies" on the suspension, which he claims to have been illegal, Mayor noted.

At the same briefing, Purisima's legal counsel, lawyer Kristoffer James E. Purisima, clarified an earlier statement saying the top official will not honor the suspension order issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

"This is not a defiance, we just want the proper process to be observed," he said.

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the preventive suspension of Purisima and several other police officials for six months in connection with the alleged anomalous contract the PNP entered into with the courier service company Werfast Documentary Agency in 2011.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, Purisima denied any involvement in entering a contract with Werfast.

He said the contract between the PNP and Werfast was executed on May 25, 2011, or more than a year before he was appointed chief of the PNP on December 18, 2012. —KBK, GMA News