Purisima, Napeñas face investigation over Mamasapano

Dismissed police chief Alan Purisima and sacked police director Getulio Napeñas now face investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman for their involvement in the Mamasapano incident.

In a press briefing Wednesday, Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the recommendation of the Special Panel of Field Investigators to initiate administrative adjudication and preliminary investigation against dismissed police Director General Purisima, sacked Police Director Napeñas, and eight other police officers over the Mamasapano incident.

Rafanan said Purisima faces investigation for usurpation of powers punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

Purisima is said to be involved in the Mamasapano operations despite his suspension from service as he faced Ombudsman investigation over an anomalous gun license delivery system. He was subsequently dismissed from service.

Purisima, Napeñas, and Police Chief Superintendent Fernando Mendez also face probe for alleged grave misconduct and violation of Section 3(A) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which penalizes officials who persuade another to violate his or her official duties.

Rafanan said Purisima, Napeñas and Mendez face graft for persuading and convincing a public official to do an illegal act.

Purisima and Napeñas also face charges of neglect of duties with eight other police officers: C/Supt. Noli Taliño, Senior Supt. Richard dela Rosa, Senior Supt. Abraham Abayari, Senior Supt. Raymund Train, Senior Supt. Edgar Monsalve, Senior Supt. Michael John Mangahis, Senior Supt. Reynald Ariño, and S/Insp. Recaredo Marasigan.

Napeñas was sacked for leading the botched operation to hunt down international terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir and his deputy Basit Usman in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao last Jan. 25. The operation, marred with lack of coordination between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), resulted in the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troops, 18 MILF fighters, and five civilians.

Purisima was also sacked, dismissed from service, and removed of his retirement benefits for being administratively liable over the allegedly anomalous gun licensing delivery contract with Wer Fast Documentary Agency, Inc. (WERFAST).