Director Gen. Alan Purisima’s return to the Philippine National Police would not affect the structure of the PNP leadership as his resignation from the post remained effective, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said on Thursday.
“Ang resignation o opisyal na pagbibitiw sa tungkulin ni General Purisima bilang Chief, PNP ay epektibo pa rin. Wala siyang sakop na mga unit na nagre-report sa kanya,” Roxas said in a text message to the media.
Earlier, Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina said Purisima would be reporting directly to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while waiting for his assignment.
Espina, who acts as the officer in charge of the 150,000-strong PNP, said Purisima would be on active duty starting June 10.
As Purisima goes back to regular duty, spokesperson Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias said he would also start receiving again his salary and benefits. Purisima has a gross monthly income of P107,000.
Tobias said in a text message Purisima would receive his salary, subsistence allowance and benefits until his retirement on Nov. 21.
In December last year, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a preventive suspension order without pay against Purisima and eight other police officers over their alleged involvement in a shady deal in 2011 with Werfast Documentation Agency for the delivery of gun licenses.
Few months after his suspension, Purisima resigned after he came under fire for his alleged involvement in the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25 that led to the death of 44 Special Action Force policemen.
Meanwhile, Roxas said the PNP Internal Affairs Service and National Police Commission are still looking into the possible liabilities of the some police officials in the Mamasapano incident.
“Hindi na magtatagal ay mailalabas at mahahayag na sa publiko ang resulta ng imbestigasyong ito. Mahalaga ang tiwala ng tao sa prosesong ito kaya’t ito ang aking personal na pinangangalagaan,” he said. RC