Supporters, opponents of Purisima face off at Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines–A labor group on Wednesday picketed the headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City to denounce Director General Alan Purisima’s failure to explain his wealth during a Senate hearing.

At the same time, a multisectoral group held a counterdemonstration to express support for the PNP chief and the police institution.

About 15 workers led by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) held placards calling for Purisima’s imprisonment.

“He cannot explain his wealth. What he told the Senate hearing are lies. The White House donation is clearly a form of bribe,” said KMU secretary general Roger Soluta.

Soluta also criticized President Aquino for defending Purisima in the same way he protected Budget Secretary Florencio Abad over the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

“Basta kapamilya, kaibigan, kabarilan, ipinagtatanggol (He will defend family, friends and shooting buddies),” Soluta said. “Pork barrel funds that come from taxpayers are being used as bribe to lawmakers while social services are lacking.”

Soluta said Purisima clearly underdeclared the value of his assets when he claimed in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth that his 4.7-hectare property in Nueva Ecija was worth P3.7 million only. The labor leader said the property could amount to more than P50 million.

About 15 members of Kabataan kontra Korapsyon under the multisectoral group People’s Coalition for Peace (PCP), on the other hand, held placards with the words “Bravo police. Fight crime.”

Robert Santos, PCP spokesman, said the group believed in Purisima’s leadership and the PNP as an institution that served and protected the people.

“The filing of cases, the politics, they only damage our democratic institutions,” Santos said.

He said PCP members voluntarily went to Camp Crame to express support for the police.

One of the demonstrators, Virginia Nolasco, 50, however, said they came from Parañaque and were invited to go there with a P100 payment.