THE Sandiganbayan on Thursday ordered the arrest of dismissed Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima for graft.
The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division said there was probable cause to try Purisima for graft and justifiable reasons to order his arrest as well as the arrest of his co-accused.
Purisima’s case arose after he tapped Werfast Documentary Agency Inc. as the Philippine National Police’s courier service provider for all firearms license applications despite its failure to comply with government regulations.
The Office of the Ombudsman cited Werfast’s failure to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to obtain authority from the Department of Transportation and Communications to operate a delivery service, and to seek accreditation from the Department of Science and Technology in 2011.
Purisima’s co-accused are dismissed Police Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, retired Police Director Gil Meneses, and dismissed Firearms and Explosives Office officials Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles, Senior Supt. Allan Parreño, Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto, Senior Supt. Melchor Reyes, Supt. Lenbell Fabia, Chief Inspector Sonia Calixto, Chief Inspector Nelson Bautista, Chief Inspector Ricardo Zapata Jr., and Senior Inspector Ford Tuazon.
The Sandiganbayan also ordered the prosecution of Werfast’s incorporators Mario Juan, Salud Bautista, Enrique Valerio, Lorna Perena and Juliana Pasia.