Axed PNP chief Purisima, 10 others ordered arrested

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan ordered on Thursday the arrest of former Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima and other police officials over an anomalous courier service deal.

The warrant, signed by Associate Justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Oscar Herrara Jr. of the Sixth Division, stated that the pleas earlier filed by Purisima and other respondents in the graft case are considered moot and academic.

The magistrates said the content of the motions are "matters of defense" and are better raised during trial.

Along with Purisima, ordered accused were Gil Meneses, Napoleon Estilles, Allan Parreño, Melchor Reyes, Ford Tuazon, Mario Juan, Salud Bautista, Enrique Valerio, Lorna Perena and Juliana Pasia.

Four other respondents, former police officials Raul Petrasanta, Eduardo Acierto, Nelson Bautista and Ricardo Zapata Jr. , posted bail of P30,000 last week.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against the respondents tagged in the questionable contract between the PNP and Werfast Documentation Agency Inc. (Werfast) in 2011.

Ombudsman investigation bared that Werfast had no corporate existence and juridical personality when the PNP engaged its services for the delivery of firearms licenses through an agreement in May 2011 without conducting a public bidding.

The probe report also showed that Werfast engaged the services of LBC, another courier service agency, and collected P190 for deliveries within Metro Manila and P290 for outside of Metro Manila.

The Office of the Ombudsman argued that the fees were overpriced as courier services normally only ask for P90 within the metro. — Camille Diola