Militant groups urge PNoy to stop shielding Purisima

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini at the Mabini Shrine in Barangay Talaga, Tanauan City, Batangas on Wednesday (July 23). With the theme: “Mabini: Talino at Paninindigan,” the yearlong festivity aims to honor Mabini, the “Sublime Paralytic,” as the brains behind the Philippine revolution. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Benigno Aquino was recently urged by the militant group Bayan to stop coddling Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima from the corruption issues raised against him.

Bayan spokesman Teddy Casino said in an interview that Aquino’s shielding of the PNP chief is taking its toll on the conduct of a thorough investigation of the corruption allegations.

“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,” he said.

Casino also cited the case of former military comptroller Gen. Carlos Garcia and his budget officer Col. George Rabusa who were relieved from their posts following reports of Garcia’s son’s $100,000 stash in the United States.

Meanwhile, Purisima is now facing plunder charges before the anti-graft court over allegations of his “unexplained wealth.”