An arrest warrant was issued to dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima who is now facing a graft charge for an anomalous courier deal in 2011 according to the statement released by the Sandiganbayan. The anti-graft court Sixth Division said it found probable cause to try the former PNP chief for graft and therefore an arrest warrant was issued.
The former police officer is a known ally and close frient of the outgoing President Benigno S. Aquino III. He was the former aide and security escort of the young Aquino during the EDSA revolution and since then they became bossom buddies.
Aside from Alan Purisima the Sandiganbayan also charged 16 others with one count of graft for acting allegedly with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence when they awarded the courier contract to the firm Werfast Documentary Agency, Inc.
The prosecution said Purisima violated Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when he gave unwarranted benefit to Werfast.
Purisima entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Werfast and accredited the firm as the PNP’s courier service provider for all the firearms license applications despite its failure to comply with government regulations on courier services.
According to the Sandiganbayan, the former PNP Chief Alan Purisima and the respondents also approved the delivery by courier of firearms license as a mandatory policy in the PNP.
The prosecution said Werfast failed to seek prior registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and failed to get authority from the Department of Transportation and Communications to operate a delivery service as well as an accreditation from the Department of Science and Technology.
Also ordered arrested are the following accused: retired Police Director Gil Meneses and dismissed Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) officials Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles, Senior Supt. Allan Parreño, Senior Supt. Melchor Reyes, and Senior Inspector Ford Tuazon. Werfast incorporators Mario Juan, Salud Bautista, Enrique Valerio, Lorna Perena and Juliana Pasia were also ordered arrested.