Protesters want PNP chief Alan Purisima jailed

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

A labor group gathers in front of the Camp Crame main gate, calling for the resignation and imprisonment of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS

MANILA, Philippines—A labor group calling for the resignation and imprisonment of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima gathered in front of the police headquarters on Wednesday morning.

Led by Kilusang Mayo Uno, at least 20 protesters demanded the jailing of the PNP head over his unexplained wealth and the briberies he allegedly accepted for the construction of his “white house,” which is the official residence of the PNP chief in Camp Crame.

Around 50 policemen and civil distu‎rbance management personnel were on standby as the rallyists held their protest in front of the Camp Crame main gate on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa).

Roger Soluta, KMU secretary general, pointed out that Purisima “clearly underdeclared” the value of his properties in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

“Puro pagsisinungaling ang narinig namin sa mga pahayag sa Senado,” he said.

(All we heard were lies when he faced the Senate.)

On Tuesday, Purisima appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing to once and for all answer the allegations against him.

The group also questioned Purisima’s declaration of his 4.7 hectare mansion in Nueva Ecija ‎as worth more than P3 million only.

“We listened to Purisima’s statements before the Senate and all we could hear was ‘jail term, jail term, jail term’,” he added.

The group also slammed anew President Benigno Aquino III for refusing to sack Purisima.

“Lahat ng mga kasama, kaibigan, kabarilan niya na nasasangkot sa anomalya, pinagtatanggol niya (Aquino),” Soluta told reporters.

(He would always defend his allies who are embroiled in controversies.)