FILE PHOTO: Former PNP-SAF Chief Benjamin Lusad
MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) chief and police director for Integrated Police Operations – Southern Luzon Benjamin Lusad has been sacked for plunder charges.
This is after the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft complaints against the police officer.
The case was due to his failure to release funds of SAF daily subsistence allowance in 2016 and 2017.
“There are two officers involved and two non-commissioned officers. Yung nasa SAF na dalawang natitirang non-commissioned officers had already been relieved,” PNP PIO chief PCSupt. John Bulalacao.
(There are two officers and two non-commissioned officers involved. The two SAF non-commissioned officers have already been relieved from their posts.)
According to Bulalacao, SAF budget and fiscal officer SSupt. Andre Dizon and his staff, SPO2 Maila Salazar Bustamante and SPO1 James Rica, have also been dismissed from their positions.
The spokesman said this is to give way to the Ombudsman’s investigation.
Outgoing PNP chief has previously stated that he was not convinced by Lusad’s explanation on the issue.
“Sabi ko ng kailangang harapin nila yan. Andyan na ang kaso. Kinasuhan sila sa ombudsman. Harapin nila yan,” Dela Rosa said.
(I said they need to face it. There’s already a case. The ombudsman filed charges against them. Face the charges.)
Currently, the PNP comptroller is conducting investigation and audit over the unreleased allowances.
“Tama na ang dapat managot at may kinalaman, basta’t lumabas lang ang katotohanan. Therefore the PNP will closely coordinate with the ombudsman,” the PNP spokesperson said.
(Enough already with the finger-pointing, as long as the truth comes out. The PNP, therefore, will closely coordinate with the ombudsman.)
The subsistence allowance is worth P30 a day or P900 per month. An estimated P59.8-million worth of allowance has been delayed for two years. — Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue
The post Ex-SAF chief sacked for plunder charges appeared first on UNTV News.