Sacked PNP chief Purisima arrested

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Authorities arrested dismissed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Alan Purisima, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA3) on Friday, May 20. 

Personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – National Capital Region (NCR) led by its deputy chief, Superintendent Arnold Thomas Ibay, made the arrest following a warrant issued by anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

The court had earlier ordered Purisima’s arrest over an anomalous deal forged between a courier company and the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office.

Purisima was taken straight to the Sandiganbayan, according to CIDG chief Police Director Victor Deona.

The former 4-star general’s bail was set at P30,000, according to Deona. He posted bail shortly after his arrest.

Purisima was chief of the PNP from late 2012 until December 2014, when he was preventively suspended by the Ombudsman over the same anomalous deal. Before his 6-month suspension lapsed, Purisima was ordered dismissed from the police service. 

The police general was among President Benigno Aquino III’s closest friends. Purisima first courted controversy over the deal between the FEO and Werfast.

But in the months that followed, Purisima was accused of one anomalous deal after another. Purisima was in hot water over the construction of a new “White House” – the official residence of the PNP chief. 

The biggest controversy came in January 2015, in the aftermath of the bloody Mamasapano clash which claimed the lives of 44 elite police personnel, at least 3 civilians, and at least 17 Muslim rebels. 

It was later discovered that Purisima, despite serving a preventive suspension order, played a role in the planning of the now infamous “Oplan Exodus,” even sitting in briefings with no less than Aquino himself. – Rappler.com