Ex-PNP official in AK-47 scam case asks Sandiganbayan for 19-day stay in US

A former ranking police official who is facing charges in connection with the alleged AK-47 rifle scam has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to stay in the United States for 19 days.

In a motion submitted to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, former PNP Firearms and Explosives Office head Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta asked the court to allow him to leave the country from November 23 to December 11 to stay in Florida.

Petrasanta, who filed his motion Tuesday, said he intends to attend the wedding of close family friends on November 28, to be held at an Iglesia ni Cristo church at Firestone Road, Jacksonville, Florida.

“This intimate family event will be attended only by very close relatives and friends and Accused Petrasanta have high hopes that he could keep his words that he would attend this very important event of the couple,” Petrasanta, through his legal counsel, said.

Petrasanta further said that during his stay in the US, he will also attend a family reunion and visit his sick sister Rosalinda Roselle P. Balolong.

Lastly, Petrasanta said he will also “take the opportunity to travel abroad to have an executive check-up in a reputable medical institution.” He, however, did not specify the medical institution he intends to undergo a check-up.

Travel bond

In convincing the Fifth Division to grant his request, Petrasanta said he is willing to post a travel bond in the amount that the court may impose.

He also claimed that he is not a flight risk and will definitely return to the country as “his wife and all his children reside in the Philippines.”

“Accused Petrasanta respectfully assures the Honorable Court that he will return immediately after his short trip abroad. The intended travel is definitely not for the purpose of evading prosecution of his cases as well as the jurisdiction of the Honorable Court,” Petrasanta’s motion read.

Petrasanta is facing 13 counts of violation of Section 3 (e) and 12 counts of violation of Section 3(j) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged anomalous issuance of firearms licenses to private companies.

Section 3 (e) of R.A. No. 3019 prohibits a public official, in the discharge of his official functions, from inflicting any undue injury or giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to any person or entity.

Meanwhile Section 3(j) prohibits public officials from knowingly approving or granting any license, permit, privilege or benefit in favor of any unqualified or unlawfully entitled person or entity.

AK-47 scam?

In a complaint filed before the Sandiganbayan on October 20, the Office of the Ombudsman, through its Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), said Petrasanta and 14 other police officials conspired in the issuance of licenses for over a hundred units of high-powered AK-47 riffles in favor of four private companies despite incomplete or falsified applications and supporting documents.

Petrasanta had earlier denied the allegation and asked the Fifth Division to dismiss the case due to the supposed lack of evidence from the Ombudsman. He claimed the complaint against him was just part of the “demolition job” to discredit him over his bid to become the chief of the PNP.

Petrasanta, who also served as the regional director of the Central Luzon Police Office, became a top contender for the PNP chief post to replace dismissed former PNP chief Dir. Alan Purisima.

However, in July of this year, Pres. Benigno Aquino III appointed former PNP Directorate for Operations head Dir. Ricardo Marquez as Purisima’s replacement. —KBK, GMA News