BREAKING: Duterte fires PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan

In this January 24, 2017 photo, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan reechoes the government’s drive to eradicate illegal gambling as he urged illegal gambling operators to halt their operations and instead join the government in handling state-sanctioned numbers games during a press briefing in Malacañang. KING RODRIGUEZ/Presidential Photo

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan, a highly reliable source told INQUIRER.net.

But in a statement sent to reporters, PCSO Deputy Spokesperson Florante S. Solmerin said Balutan opted to resign for “personal reasons.” He did not elaborate.

“PCSO General Manager Alexander Ferrer Balutan has opted to resign from his post for personal reasons,” Solmerin said.

A former Marine officer, Balutan was appointed to PCSO in September 2016.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Matikas Class of 1983, he earned the nickname “Mandirigma” or warrior among his peers.

Balutan had defied former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 464 by testifying before the Senate in 2005 on his knowledge on the alleged cheating in Mindanao during the 2004 presidential elections. /kga