DOJ urged to probe Delfin Lee removal from wanted list

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) was urged to look into circumstances behind the removal of Delfin Lee from the wanted list of the Philippine National Police (PNP) before he was arrested early this month. 

Speaking to reporters, Perfecto Tagalog, Coalition of Filipino Consumers (CFC) secretary-general, said the DOJ must investigate why and how the PNP sacked Task Force Tugis commander Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, who had done his job in arresting a fugitive.

“If they can lie to President Aquino with a straight face, then the police officials behind the arrest of  businessman Delfin Lee can concoct more lies,” he said.

Tagalog said “emerging evidence” show that Lee had been delisted from the PNP’s database of fugitives.

Capa’s reassignment to Cebu has cast doubt on the integrity of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, he added.

Tagalog said the questions begging for answers are: Why did the PNP chief want Delfin Lee delisted? Was he protecting Lee? Was there money involved?

Purisima had confirmed to lawyers of Lee that the PNP was in the process of delisting him from the list of wanted persons subject to the approval of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Speaking to reporters, Purisima said Capa’s transfer was a reward and a step toward his promotion to chief superintendent.

The Philippine Association for the Advancement of Civil Liberties (PAACL) said Roxas has the final word in removing Lee from the PNP’s Warrant of Arrest Information System.