MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima said on Friday that he will order the abolition of the counter intelligence unit of the PNP's Intelligence Group (IG) for having no substantial output and for not functioning properly.
"Sa nakikita nga po natin ngayon ay hindi po nagpa-function ng tama yung unit po na iyon at ang gagawin nga po natin is bubuwagin na po natin yung mga unit na 'yan...," Purisima said.
He added that he will order the creation of a new group that will replace the IG's counter-intelligence unit.
"Wala pong naging produkto ang kahit na ano kaya yan po ay bubuwagin na po natin at magtatayo po tayo ng isang performing unit na maasahan po natin pagdating po sa mga ganyang bagay," Purisima added.
Purisima's plan to abolish the unit came at the heels of the controversial Atimonan incident where 13 people were killed, including suspected jueteng kingpin Vic Siman.
Superintendent Hansel Marantan, who belongs to the unit and being accused of orchestrating the supposed rubout of Siman's group last January 6, has been ordered relieved from his post.
PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said that the personnel of the IG's counter-intelligence unit will be all be replaced.
"Hindi kasi sya (Purisima) satisfied sa trabaho ng counter-intelligence unit ng Intelligence group," Cerbo said.
He admitted that the plan to dissolve the unit was triggered by the Atimonan incident.
Cerbo said that among the functions of the Intelligence unit are the physical security of camps, and documents of the PNP.
It is also tasked in the monitoring of illegal activities involving policemen, he added.
"This is to maintain the integrity of our personnel," Cerbo said.