Purisima: I don’t own Batangas property

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima insisted yesterday that he does not own property in Talisay, Batangas.

In a text message, spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said the PNP is reiterating Purisima’s previous statement.

“This pertains to the allegations that the Chief PNP has a property in Talisay, Batangas and was not declared in his SALN. The Chief PNP reiterates his previous statement that he denies any knowledge as to the acquisition or disposition of the said property,” Mayor said.

He said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will gather sufficient evidence to identify the person behind the allegations.

Purisima will then take the necessary legal action to clear his name, he added.

Purisima has ordered the CIDG to find out how his name was dragged into the issue,  Mayor said.

ABS-CBN television has reported that Purisima owned a 9.5-hectare property in Batangas that was bought in 2007. The property was later subdivided into 11 titles under the names of Purisima and a certain Oscarlito Mapalo, a former Army colonel, the report added.

The report said the property has reportedly since been sold for P4 million but remains under Purisima’s name.

It was not declared in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), the report added.