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Dismissed Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and five of his co-accused pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan on charges of violating Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. File photo
By Michael Punongbayan via PhilStar
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MANILA, Philippines - Dismissed Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and five of his co-accused yesterday pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan on charges of violating Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The case arose from an allegedly anomalous courier service deal for gun licenses.
“Not guilty, your honor,” Purisima told justices of the Sixth Division in open court after the criminal complaint was read to them.
The start of the preliminary conference was set on July 18 and the pre-trial hearing on Oct. 13.
Among those who also entered not guilty pleas were former Firearms and Explosives Office chief Napoleon Estilles, former Civil Service Security Group chief Gil Meneses, former FEO assistant chief Allan Parreño, former FEO Education and Enforcement Management Division chief Melchor Reyes and servicing legal officer Ford Tuazon.
The scheduled arraignment of some of Purisima’s co-respondents was deferred because of their pending motions.
They included Philrem Service Corp. president Salud Bautista, who was charged as an incorporator of Werfast Documentation Agency Inc., former FEO chief Raul Petrasanta, former Firearms and Licensing Division chief Eduardo Acierto, former FLD assistant chief Lenbel Fabia, former FLD section chief Sonia Calixto and former FEO Inspection and Enforcement Section chief Nelson Bautista; and Werfast incorporators Mario Juan, Enrique Valerio, Lorna Perena and Juliana Pasia.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the criminal case against Purisima and the other respondents for their alleged role in the allegedly questionable courier service contract between the PNP and Werfast in 2011 for the delivery of gun licenses.
