PNP chief denies owning 10-hectare land

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima yesterday denied owning a sprawling 10-hectare property in Talisay, Batangas aside from his controversial 4.7-hectare house in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

ABS-CBN reported earlier that Purisima owns a property in Talisay, which was not declared in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Purisima ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to find out how his name was dragged into the issue, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said.

“I talked to the PNP chief Monday night and he vehemently denied owning a property in Talisay… He has no knowledge about the acquisition or disposition of such property,” Mayor said.

The report said the PNP chief acquired the land from a certain “Malabanan” in 2007. The property was later subdivided into 11 titles under the names of Purisima and Oscarlito Mapalo, a former Army colonel.

The property has been sold for P4 million but remains under Purisima’s name, the report added.

Mayor, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1985, said Mapalo is a member of PMA Class 1979. Purisima is a member of PMA Class 1981.

The PNP spokesman said the CIDG would gather evidence to determine those responsible for the wrong information before taking legal action to clear his name.

Purisima has been under fire for his alleged unexplained wealth.

He is facing plunder, bribery and graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the renovation of the White House – the PNP chief’s official quarters at Camp Crame – and his P4.5-million rest house in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

Last month, the ombudsman created a panel to investigate Purisima and several others over a supposedly anomalous contract the PNP had entered into with a courier service for the delivery of firearm licenses in 2011.

Amid the controversies hounding Purisima, Mayor maintained that the PNP remains focused on its mandate of protecting and serving the people.