Purisima no longer PNP official, clarifies Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday said there is no use in calling for Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima’s sacking since he already resigned as PNP chief.

Responding to Senator Bongbong Marcos’ privilege speech on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, “He has no responsibility anymore in the Philippine National Police, in the line organization.”

“He does not hold any position, so I don’t know what Senator Bongbong Marcos is referring to,” Lacierda said.

Marcos claimed that Purisima was being given special treatment, even after being tagged in the Mamasapano operation, which resulted in the deaths of 44 policemen, 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and three civilians.

READ: Marcos to Aquino: Fire Purisima, charge him in court

“Fire Purisima. Charge him in court for usurpation of authority or official functions, for violating the chain of command, for gross misconduct and negligence that needlessly cost the lives of our policemen, among other serious violations. Throw the book at him. Appoint a permanent PNP chief,” the senator had said.

Lacierda did not respond to calls for charges to be filed against Purisima. Instead, he just said, “Insofar as being part of the organization, in the line organization, he does not hold any role anymore. So let’s keep it at that.”

Purisima’s six-month preventive suspension expired on June 4. However, because he resigned as PNP chief in February, he will be under the Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit of the PNP.

READ: ‘Alan Purisima will be back on duty’

Purisima was suspended for being involved in an alleged anomalous deal between the PNP and a courier service firm. He resigned after being accused of directing the Mamasapano operation, dubbed Oplan Exodus, and being blamed for the deaths of Special Action Force troopers.

READ: Purisima back? ‘Disturbing,’ says group

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (bayan) earlier described the situation as “disturbing” since Purisima was allowed to return to the PNP despite the Board of Inquiry recommending the filing of charges against officials involved in the botched Mamasapano operation.