MANILA, Philippines – As Philipppine National Police chief Alan Purisima continued to stay silent in the face of corruption allegations against him, two men – one wearing a mask and using an alias – came to his defense.

Describing themselves as “political operators,” Henry Reyes and a certain “Joel” faced the media on Friday, September 26, to disclose that a former colleague and friend of theirs was behind the controversies surrounding the country’s top cop.

They said Perfecto Jaime Tagalog – one of the representatives of the Coalition of Filipino Consumers (CFC) which filed a plunder case against Purisima – is a “political operator” or an “image maker.”  

On September 22, the CFC, as represented by Tagalog and 2 other individuals, filed a graft complaint against Purisima before the Ombudsman for allegedly concealing a multimillion property in Nueva Ecija.

Separate plunder and indirect bribery charges, meanwhile, were filed for the construction of the “White House,” the PNP chief’s official residence inside Camp Crame. (READ: Who funded the PNP chief’s ‘White House?’)

The two said a politician – a local official, specifically – was behind the “operation” against Purisima, but declined to name him or her. Pressed by reporters to elaborate, they shot back: “Sa tingin niyo, sino ang makikinabang?” (Who do you think will benefit from the controversy?)

“Joel” and Reyes claimed they’ve been working behind-the-scenes for incumbent and aspiring politicians for over 6 years. In those years, they claimed to be behind the election of “less than 10” party list representatives.

The two said this is why Tagalog filed the case versus Purisima – to establish the CFC’s image to the public and to widen its support base in time for the 2016 elections.

It’s the way operators work around and with the country’s party list system – they strengthen a party list or attack specific public persons in exchange for cash. “Joel” claimed some will pay up to P20 million (about $450,000) to get a seat in Congress through the party-list system.

Both claimed the plan to “work on” the CFC’s public image was first hatched in 2013. The two allegedly lost contact with Tagalog, who reportedly previously worked with them for some “operations.”

They were surprised when the CFC made news in connection with Purisima. “Maraming nadadamay sa ginagawa nila. Dapat yung CFC mag-focus sa kung ano dapat ang ginagawa nila (consumer rights). Eto suntok sa buwan eh,” Reyes told reporters.

(A lot of people are being dragged into what they’re doing. They should just focus on what they’re supposedly pushing for – consumer rights. Plunder and graft seems farfetched.)

Tagalog: ‘No attack dog’

In an interview with Rappler, Tagalog denied the accusations made against him. “Ako’y nagulat. Ang issue ay hindi ako. It is the PNP chief who did not submit his SALN [Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth],” he said. (I was surprised. This is not about me.)

He denied being a “political operator” or that politicians were behind the plunder case versus Purisima. “I am no attack dog and will never be… Ano ba ang inooperate? Ako ay simpleng mamamayan na nag-vo-volunteer work sa CFC,” he added. (What am I doing? I’m a simple citizen who does volunteer work for the CFC.)

Tagalog also denied knowning “Joel” or Reyes.

“Wala akong ginawa at hindi ko siniraan ang pagkatao ni General Purisima. Nagkataon lang na siya ay nasa public office at karaptan ng kahit sino man na makita ang SALN niya,” said Tagalog.

(I did not do anything wrong nor did I malign General Purisima’s name. It just so happened that he is in public office and anyone has the right to see his SALN.)

Tagalog called on Purisima to resign since he has “lost the moral ascendancy to lead.” Tagalog echoes the calls of several civil society groups and government officials who have called on Purisima to step down given the string of controversies against him. (READ: Lacson to PNP chief: Go on leave or retire early)

Purisima has been PNP chief since December 2012. Despite the controversies hounding  him, President Benigno Aquino III has been consistent in expressing his trust in Purisima. 

Aquino and Purisima first met in 1987, when the PNP chief was a member of the Presidential Security Group tasked to secure the young Aquino, whose mother the late Cory Aquino was president at the time.

Why come forward?

“Joel” chose to cover his face during the entire press briefing while Reyes did not. Both said that because of their “revelations,” they fear for their lives and those of their families.

At the beginning of the press conference, “Joel” clarified that they were coming out with what they know of Tagalog and the CFC “for the truth.” The two claimed they wanted to “restore dignity” to their trade. “I-respeto naman ang trabaho ng isang political operator,” said Reyes. (Respect the job of a political operator.) – Rappler.com