Outburst vs Purisima may spur Capa probe

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police on Thursday said it was looking into the possibility of investigating Senior Supt. Conrad Capa for insubordination after he publicly challenged the decision of Director General Alan Purisima to remove him as commander of the task force hunting down high profile fugitives.

PNP Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas made the disclosure in a press conference at Camp Crame in response to a reporter’s question on whether Capa would be held accountable by the PNP for his public statements against Purisima last week.

But a week after his outburst, Capa said he was willing to patch things up with his superior officer.

Capa said he would make the first move to reach out to Purisima as he was happy with his new assignment.

“He’s my brother, it’s more than friendship, it’s thicker than blood,” he said.

‘I love my boss’

“I’ll take the first step being the junior one. I’m just taking my time. I love my boss. I respect him. I used to eat at his quarters before,” Capa added.

Capa served as Purisima’s intelligence officer when the PNP chief was Central Luzon police director in 2010.

Capa became upset after Purisima removed him as Task Force Tugis head following his capture of Delfin Lee, a businessman wanted for syndicated estafa for his alleged involvement in a multibillion-peso housing scam.

But Capa’s frustration turned to anger after Purisima announced in a news conference on March 14 his transfer to Cebu as Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) deputy director for operations.

Purisima had told reporters that Capa’s transfer was a reward and a step toward his promotion to chief superintendent, a one-star rank equivalent to brigadier general in the military.

But Capa said the reassignment was not a promotion but a relief from his post as commander of Task Force Tugis.

Rojas, in explaining the promotion system in the police force, said officers go through a stringent process that includes a thorough interview.

“We follow the procedures (of the placement board) as strictly as possible,” Rojas said.

Lee’s arrest became controversial because his lawyers had questioned the validity of the arrest warrant.