PNP chief sacks former SAF head over alleged misuse of funds

The outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa, has ordered the relief of a former Special Action Force (SAF) chief allegedly involved in the misuse of the P59.8-million allowances of the police commandos.

Dir. Benjamin Lusad was relieved from his position as the head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) in Southern Luzon effective Tuesday, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, PNP spokesperson, said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net.

Dela Rosa had also ordered the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management to relieve former SAF budget and fiscal officer Senior Supt. Andre Dizon from his current position as DIPO-SL Administrative and Resource Management Division chief, as well as SPO2 Maila Bustamante and SPO 1 Jack James Irica, both assigned in the PNP-SAF Finance.

Bulalacao said that Dela Rosa had not yet signed the relief order because the police chief had not returned from an event in Malacañang as of posting time.

“Pero pagbalik daw niya pipirmahan na raw niya and the effectivity of the order is today,” he said.

[But he said he would sign it once he returns and the effectivity of the order is today.]

Bulalacao said Dela Rosa’s move would allow the accused officials to prepare for their defense before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Former and current SAF troopers filed a complaint before the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (Moleo), accusing Lusad – along with Dizon, Salazar, and Irica – of plunder and malversation for not releasing the allowance to troopers despite receiving the funds. /atm