Ex-PNP chief Purisima on leave until July

After being suspended for six months, resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima is set to go on leave from Wednesday until July.

In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Bartolome Tobias said Purisima, who was supposed to return to PNP on June 10 after his six-month suspension, filed for leave last week.

Tobias said PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina had approved Purisima's leave request.

"Leave is vacation leave, it's a right," Tobias said, adding Purisima may even extend his leave.
"May natitira pa siyang leave credits," he said.

Tobias said Purisima will be placed on non-duty status after his leave.  

He added Purisima, who was suspended in connection with a graft case, will still receive his salary even when he's on leave and on non-duty status.

P108,000 allowance

In a separate text message to GMA News Online, Tobias said Purisima receives around P108,000 per month, including allowances.

Last week, Tobias said Purisima will be placed under the police's Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit until he retires.

"Makakatanggap pa rin siya ng kanyang salary, subsistence allowances, other benefits until his retirement in November," he said.

Purisima, who currently holds a four-star rank, the highest rank in the PNP, resigned as PNP chief on Feb. 6 amid the controversy over the Mamasapano operation, which cost the lives of 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos.

Critics have alleged that Purisima was the one in charge of the operation even though he was under suspension in connection with a graft case at the time of planning and execution. He has since denied the allegations, claiming that he was merely giving advice.
 
A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981, Purisima will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Nov. 21, 2015. —Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News