Purisima moving out of ‘White House’

MANILA, Philippines – Resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima is moving out of the controversial “White House.”

Since Sunday, Purisima, who recently stepped down from his post, has been packing his stuff as he has to leave the official residence of the PNP chief in Camp Crame, said police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr.

“With the resignation of General Purisima, nawala na rin ‘yung privilege na ‘yon sa kanya,” Cerbo said.

“Based on my latest coordination with the Headquarters Support Service, he’s started to move out on Sunday,” he added.

Cerbo said the PNP has a one-month leeway for its former chiefs to vacate the residence.

Resigning as the PNP chief does not take away his rank as a Director General, or as the sole four-star official in the PNP.

Thus, after Purisima’s resignation, Cerbo said he will be placed on “floating or non-duty” status. He is set to retire when he turns 56 on November 23 this year.

As for his replacement, Cerbo said the PNP is still waiting for the order from Malacañang, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and its attached agency, the National Police Commission.

Since Purisima’s suspension on December 4 last year, PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina took over as the PNP helm.