Ombudsman okays probe vs. Purisima, Napeñas over Mamasapano incident

 

"Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the recommendation of the special panel of field investigators to initiate administrative adjudication and preliminary investigation against former Police Director Alan Purisima, Police Director Getulio Napeñas, Jr. and nine other police officers in relation to what is known as the Mamasapano incident," Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said in a press conference on Wednesday

 

Rafanan said the order to conduct preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication against Purisima, relieved Special Action Force (SAF) Dir. Getulio Napeñas Jr. and nine other police officials came after Morales finished reviewing the report of the special panel of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman Field Investigation Office (FIO).

 

In its report, the FIO has recommended the filing of administrative charge of grave misconduct and criminal charge of violation of section 3 (a) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Purisima, Napeñas and SAF Intelligence Group Director Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez.

 

Rafanan explained that violation of section 3 (a) of RA 3019 involves "persuading and influencing other public officials to do an illegal act".  

 

Rafanan said the FIO has also recommended the filing of a criminal charge of usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) against Purisima.

 

It has been earlier reported that Purisima was the one who led the planning and implementation of the PNP-SAF operation in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao aimed on January 25, 2015 at arresting three high-profile terrorists, including Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan

 

At that time, Purisima was under a preventive suspension by the Ombudsman in connection with a graft charge, which stemmed from an alleged anomalous contract the PNP entered into with a courier company.

 

Purisima has repeatedly denied the allegation.

 

The Ombudsman has recently ordered the dismissal of Purisima from service in connection with the alleged anomalous contract with a courier service company, Werfast Documentary Agency. Napeñas, meanwhile, has just retired from the PNP over the weekend after reaching the retirement age of 56.

 

Meanwhile, the FIO has also recommended the filing of administrative charge of neglect of duty against Purisima and Napeñas as well as the following police officials:

 

Senior Supt. Noli Taliño

Senior Supt. Richard Dela Rosa

Senior Supt. Edgar Monsalve

Senior Supt. Abraham Abayari

Senior Supt. Raymund Train

Senior Supt. Michel John Mangahis

Senior Supt. Rey Ariño

Senior Supt. Recaredo Marasigan

 

Rafanan said the fact-finding investigation stemmed from separate complaints filed by three private individuals as well as from a report of the Philippine Daily Inquirer Mindanao dated January 27, 2015.

 

The police operation in Mamasapano went awry after the SAF commandos were overpowered by the combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), its splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and some private armed groups in the area.

 

The SAF troopers killed Marwan during the operations but the two other terrorists managed to escape. A total of 44 SAF troopers perished from the incident.

No raps for PNoy, AFP officials