PNP chief faces contempt for snubbing House probe

MANILA, Philippines - A legislator investigating anomalies in the Philippine National Police (PNP) has threatened to file contempt charges against Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima after he failed to attend the hearings in the House of Representatives.

Quoting Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo. Farinas, PRO-GUN Secretary Ernesto Tabujara said the congressman made the threat as Purisima’s continued neglect of attending hearings shows an utter disrespect for the House of Representatives.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, chaired by Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, grilled PNP officials for the "alleged anomalous transactions involving high ranking officials."

The probe focuses on the alleged 900 high-powered missing rifles, which were later found in the hands of insurgents, and the anomalous Werfast courier service that was engaged by the PNP to deliver approved firearms licenses to their holders.

“Galit na galit (si Cong. Farinas). Bakit daw binabastos ni General Purisima ang Kongreso. Tinatanong sa mga nandun na nagpunta na PNP officials kung bakit wala si General Purisima. Sinabi na pagpapakita ito ng kawalan ng respeto,” Tabujara said.

“Ipapa-summon na si General Purisima sa susunod na hearing. If hindi pa rin siya dumating then he would be cited for contempt by Congressman Farinas,” he added.

The hearing went beyond the issues and also discussed the difficult and egregious firearms licensing polices, the centralization of gun licensing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, the difficulty in obtaining Permits to Carry, the administrative fund raising contained in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10591, as well as all other questionable provisions of the IRR.

Lawmakers present during the hearing took turns in hurling angry complaints at the PNP officials led by Gen. Mel Mabilin, head of the Civil Security Group and Gen. Moro Lazo, chief of the Firearms and Explosives Office.

Another hearing is set and will be announced by the committee.

Also present at the hearing were congressmen Silvestre Bello and Rufus Rodriguez and former police officials Samuel Pagdilao and Romeo Acop.