Purisima et al should obey Ombudsman order — Palace

Alan Purisima before he resigned as PNP chief and dismissed from the service by the Ombudsman. INQUIRER.net FILE

Malacañang on Wednesday said that former police chief Alan Purisima and others dismissed by the Ombudsman over an anomalous contract should abide by the order.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the rule of law should prevail.

“The rule of law applies to everyone. We expect the Ombudsman order to be carried out as directed,” Lacierda said in a statement to reporters.

The Ombudsman on Tuesday ordered the dismissal from the service of Purisima, Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, and nine other officials involved in the P100-million deal with WerFast Documentary Agency, Inc. for the delivery of firearms licenses.

Petrasanta was among those reportedly being considered as the next PNP chief.

In a 50-page decision, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said the policemen would face grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority charges.

Aside from Purisima and Petrasanta, other cops ordered dismissed were former Firearms and Explosive Office officials Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles, Senior Superintendent Allan Parreño, Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto, Senior Supt. Melchor Reyes, Supt. Lenbell Fabia, Chief Inspector Sonia Calixto, Chief Inspector Nelson Bautista, Chief Inspector Ricardo Zapata Jr., and Senior Inspector Ford Tuazon.

In the Ombudsman order, the dismissed cops will not receive their retirement benefits and will not be allowed to work again for government.