MANILA, Philippines - Militant group Bayan on Thursday called on President Benigno Aquino III to stop shielding beleaguered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima from the controversies and allegations of anomalies hurled against him.
Bayan spokesman Teddy Casino said Aquino's coddling of Purisima virtually blocks the thorough investigation on the allegations of corruption and ill-gotten wealth against the PNP head.
"The revelations about Purisima's millions worth of undeclared or underreported properties, plus the controversy over the "White House Mansion" donated by his contractor-friends, brings to light many similar practices of PNP officials who use their positions of power to unjustly and illegally enrich themselves at the expense of their sworn duties.
"If the president is truly serious in getting to the truth and holding wrongdoers to account, he should immediately relieve Purisima of his position and order him to at least take a leave of absence to allow the proper authorities to establish the facts and pursue the appropriate charges against the PNP chief," Casino said.
He cited the case of former military comptroller Gen. Carlos Garcia and his budget officer Col. George Rabusa who were immediately relieved of their positions when the story about Garcia's son's $100,000 stash in the United States broke out in the media.
Both were eventually issued preventive suspension orders and detained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Purisima is now facing plunder and graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged unexplained wealth.