MANILA, Philippines - Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima never had any assignment in any part of Mindanao in his entire career, indicating that he has no deep knowledge about the terrain, the people and the customs and traditions in the region.
Some of his PNP subordinates and his “mistahs,” classmates in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1981, told The STAR that Purisima’s assignments were basically in Luzon, particularly in Metro Manila, with the farthest being in Pangasinan when he was assigned as police provincial commander from 2005 to 2007.
“How can he personally lead the PNP SAF (Special Action Force) troops in a very critical and dangerous mission in Mamasapano in Maguindanao when he personally doesn’t know the s terrain and the Moro rebels and their strength in the area?” one officer said. “He may have had a packet of intelligence information about the terrorists but he has no idea about the terrain.”
President Aquino has accepted the resignation of Purisima amid public clamor following the deaths of 44 SAF commandos while on a mission to arrest terrorist-bombers Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Abdul Basit Usman.
Although Purisima became an operations officer of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) SAF from 1989 to 1991, PNP sources said during his stint, he stayed mainly at his office in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
The resigned PNP chief, who was ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for six months due to plunder charges, is being held responsible for the botched SAF operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.
Relieved SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas, in several media interviews, pointed to Purisima as the one giving him orders before and during the commando raid to capture Marwan, who carried a $5-million bounty offered by the US government.
Purisima’s act of stepping down while under probe for his alleged involvement in anomalies will not save him from possible sanctions.
Sources from the Office of the Ombudsman told The STAR that resignation will not shield a public official from facing possible indictment and being meted administrative penalties if found liable after an investigation.
Purisima may still be charged in court if it can be proven that he was involved in the anomalous contract entered into by the PNP when he was chief and if he violated his preventive suspension order when he allegedly participated in the Mamasapano operation.
Despite his suspension, Purisima allegedly remained on top of the operation, causing some confusion in the PNP command line as Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina was appointed officer-in-charge.
“At the very least, he can be charged for usurping the authority of Espina. There cannot be two bosses at the same time. There has to be only one boss,” an insider told The STAR.
Another source said the acts of Purisima were obviously “prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” referring to the revelations by several high-ranking police officials that he “directed the operation by remote control,” the source said.
The President confirmed to the public that Purisima indeed coordinated with him on the SAF operation, but only prior to his preventive suspension in December 2014.
Administratively, while the Office of the Ombudsman can no longer order his removal from public office if he is found liable, the anti-graft agency may impose other penalties.
“His retirement benefits can be forfeited, with perpetual disqualification from public office,” the source said.
While there are pending criminal and administrative cases against him, Purisima will also not be given a certificate of clearance, which is a requirement for him to claim retirement benefits.
The Philippine Star
