Ex-PNP chief, 11 others face criminal raps over courier deal

MANILA, Philippines – The Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges before the anti-graft court against former national police chief Alan Purisima and 11 other police officials in connection with an anomalous courier deal.

In a 10-page order, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed earlier findings pointing to the liability of Purisima and his deputies who approved a deal with Werfast Documentation Agency in 2011 to set up an online system for the application and delivery of firearms licenses.

The deal was made even if Werfast submitted incomplete documents and did not go through public bidding, the Ombudsman said.

Impleaded with Purisima for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act are: Philippine National Police officials Napoleon Estilles, Gil Meneses, Raul Petrasanta, Allan Parreño, Eduardo Acierto, Melchor Reyes, Lenbell Fabia, Sonia Calixto, Nelson Bautista, Ford Tuazon and Ricardo Zapata, Jr., and Werfast incorporators Mario Juan, Salud Bautista, Enrique Valerio, Lorna Perena and Juliana Pasia.

Purisima is a close ally of President Benigno Aquino III. He was forced to resign in 2015 following the botched police operation in Mamasapano that he supervised while serving suspension and which killed at least 40 elite police forces. 

Four months later, in June 2015, the Ombudsman ordered him dismissed from service, forfeited his retirement benefits and barred him from being employed in government, over the Werfast deal. – Rappler.com