PNP preps for papal visit, Ruby will not be affected by Purisima suspension

Security and disaster preparations for Pope Francis' visit next month and the expected landfall of Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) this weekend, respectively, will not be affected by the suspension of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima.

“Buo naman ang organisasyon ng PNP,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing Thursday. “Meron tayong organisasyon na nagsasagawa niyan na hindi naman nakabatay sa iisang pinuno o tao lang.”

For his part, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who supervises the PNP, said the police organization remains focused on its preparations for Typhoon Ruby despite Purisima's suspension.

In a statement, Roxas said he has not yet seen the suspension order but assured the public that the PNP will continue to be focused on its law and order duties and functions.

“Accordingly the PNP is on heightened alert and all leaves have been cancelled in the expected affected areas,” he said.

Coloma and Roxas issued the statement after the Office of the Ombudsman announced Purisima’s six-month preventive suspension while he is being investigated for a supposedly anomalous contract the PNP entered into with a courier service in 2011.

Purisima is also facing plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with his supposed mansion in Nueva Ecija and alleged anomalies in the renovation of the PNP chief's official quarters in Camp Crame.
 
Although President Benigno Aquino III has repeatedly defended Purisima, Coloma said the suspension will still be enforced.

“The government shall abide by the decision of the Ombudsman pertaining to the administrative case against Police Director General Alan Purisima and other senior PNP officials,” he said.

Asked if Aquino continues to support Purisima even after the suspension order, Coloma replied, “Tayo po ay pamahalaan ng batas, hindi ng tao.”

Aside from Pope Francis' visit in January and the typhoon that is expected to make landfall on Saturday, the PNP is also deep into its security preparation for next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Last October, Aquino said there seemed to be insufficient evidence to support corruption allegations against Purisima.

Aquino had also earlier vouched for Purisima's good character, saying the PNP chief is not greedy nor does he live a luxurious lifestyle.

The President has known Purisima since 1987, when the PNP chief was a member of the Presidential Security Group during the administration of Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. —with Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News