Purisima ready to answer plunder raps in right forum, says police spokesman

PNP Director General Alan Purisima. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— The allegations being hurled against the chief of the Philippine National Police are orchestrated efforts to malign Director General Alan Purisima and the 148,000-strong police force, according to a PNP official.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, the PNP spokesman, also questioned the timing of the filing of the complaint against Purisima before the Office of the Ombudsman, which was made while the PNP chief was out of the country on official business.

“It is a clear effort to malign and tarnish the good name of the PNP chief as well as the organization. These are definitely actions aimed at destroying the PNP chief,” said Sindac.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Tuesday, the PNP spokesperson said Purisima would answer all the charges and allegations against him at the right time and in the right forum.

The PNP chief is now facing two complaints. On Monday, the Coalition of Filipino Consumers filed charges of plunder, graft and indirect bribery against Purisima over the building of his mansion in Nueva Ecija and the construction of the White House in Camp Crame allegedly worth P25 million.

The PNP chief was earlier slapped with plunder charges in April for an allegedly anomalous P100 million contract with a courier service firm for the delivery of firearms licenses.

Sindac pointed out that the recent complaint was filed against Purisima while he was away on official business and unable to defend himself.

Purisima is currently in Bogota, Colombia, with other PNP officials for an anti-kidnapping and anti-extortion senior leadership conference from September 22 to 26.

The PNP will be looking into legal options against those who filed the cases when the PNP chief returns to the country next week, according to Sindac.

Sindac also noted that the recent complaint was a “personal attack,” criticizing Purisima’s personal properties and yet it charged him with plunder, which involved the misuse of public funds.

The PNP spokesperson said the public would learn the truth soon from Purisima himself.

Sindac noted that so far, only one side of the issue has been aired.

The PNP spokesman added that Purisima would be willing to answer the charges against him in court and before the Senate, should he be invited again for a hearing.

The PNP chief is concerned that this issue will not affect the 148,000-strong police force, according to Sindac.

“No leader would want his organization to be involved in his personal affairs, like a father who wants to shield his family from his troubles,” Sindac added.

As an institution, the PNP continues to support its beleaguered chief and will work to protect the integrity of the institution.

“The whole PNP is behind our chief. We are in full support and we are closing ranks to protect the integrity of the whole organization,” Sindac added.

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