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[av_heading heading=’Graft, usurpation raps vs Purisima, Napeñas’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, January 27, 2017
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MANILA – Alan Purisima and Getulio Napeñas, two former top officials in the Philippine National Police, were charged before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the clash between state troops and Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015 that killed 44 Special Action Force officers.
The Office of the Ombudsman headed by Conchita Carpio-Morales filed charges for graft and usurpation of authority against Purisima, former PNP chief, and Napeñas, former SAF head. If guilty, the former police officials may be imprisoned for 12 years.
According to Morales, Purisima and Napeñas were also found liable for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service — all administrative charges.
Morales said: “Purisima’s active participation and supervision of Oplan Exodus despite the preventive suspension order violated the PNP chain of command and amounted to usurpation of official functions.
“Napeñas’ constant reporting and official dealings with Purisima, notwithstanding the latter’s suspension, made him reliable as a cohort of Purisima in usurping official functions.”
Purisima came under fire for giving orders regarding the operation against terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as “Marwan,” and Basit Usman even when he was under preventive suspension as PNP chief.
Napeñas ran for senator in the May 2016 election but lost.
Aside from the 44 SAF troopers, the operation on Jan. 25, 2015 killed Marwan and dozens of Moro Islamic Liberation Front members and civilians./PN
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