Criminal raps filed vs Purisima over Mamasapano

MANILA, Philippines – Anti-crime group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) yesterday filed criminal charges against former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima for his role in the Mamasapano incident where 44 policemen were killed on Jan. 25 last year.

Dante Jimenez of the VACC and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio lodged the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman accusing Purisima of usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

Purisima was charged for allegedly having a hand in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus despite being under preventive suspension.

Purisima reportedly dictated Oplan Exodus to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and local confederate Basit Usman, who were hiding in a remote village in Mamasapano.

The raiding police team of the Special Action Force (SAF) killed Marwan while Usman escaped but was later killed in another encounter.

The police commandos figured in firefights with Muslim rebels and armed villagers in the area. A total of 44 policemen, 18 rebels and five civilians were killed.

The VACC’s complaint was anchored on the Senate investigation report citing Purisima had admitted bringing former SAF commander Getulio Napeñas to Malacañang on Jan. 9, 2015 to discuss the operation.

The VACC said Purisima, who was under suspension, had no business participating in a police mission.

“The respondent is guilty of usurping official functions. He could not have legally participated in the planning and execution of Oplan Exodus while under preventive suspension,” the VACC said.

The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating Purisima’s role in the Mamasapano encounter and is conducting a preliminary probe that will determine if he should be charged in court.