Malacang ‘power bloc’ blamed for would be PNP chief dismissal

MANILA — A “power bloc in Malacanang” is allegedly behind the dismissal of Chief Supt. Raul Pertrasanta and other officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to Petrasanta’s lawyer.

“The so-called ‘power bloc’ in Malacanang has long orchestrated a demolition job against Petrasanta, touted as the PNP chief-in-waiting,” Alex Avisado said in an statement as quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

He added that Petrasanta’s designation was “derailed for his refusal to give in to the demands of a powerful group working to ensure victory in the coming elections.”

He also said that though they respect the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman, he believes that it was released to derail Petrasanta’s appointment as the next PNP chief.

“The timing of the release (of the Ombudsman’s order) was obviously designed to derail his appointment as the next PNP chief. The decision was released just a few days before the preventive suspension was set to expire on (July 5),” Avisado said.

Petrasanta was dismissed along with resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and other senior police officers for the alleged anomalous contract granted to Werfast Documentary Agency Inc. for the delivery of gun licenses.

Avisado however claimed that the Ombudsman was wrong in assuming that the sacked senior police chief made the recommendation to have Werfast as the sole courier of the gun permits.