Purisima may face contempt over alleged role in Mamasapano clash -Ombudsman

Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended police chief Alan Purisima may face contempt charges if proven that he failed to comply with the preventive suspension order over his alleged hand in the Mamasapano clash, the Assistant Ombudsman said on Thursday.

In a press conference, Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said Purisima may be cited in contempt if it is proven that he did not comply with the preventive suspension when he allegedly called the shots in the carnage.

“Ombudsman has option under the law the power to contempt pursuant to the applicable rules of the court,” Rafanan said.

Rafanan also said the Ombudsman is conducting its own probe on the clash which led to the deaths of 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force in an attack by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“It’s something investigators will look into. We have to verify that fact and study the possible implications of the alleged participation of Purisima in the operations. Let’s await the results of  the investigation,” he said.

Purisima, suspended for six months over an alleged irregular courier deal, was accused of running the shots under the blessing of President Aquino in the carnage, which was blamed on the lack of coordination and downplayed by government as a “misencounter.”

Reports surfaced that Purisima had resigned from his position, but Malacanang has yet to confirm this.

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