MANILA, Philippines - Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Tuesday maintained that President Benigno Aquino III is responsible for the actions of suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima.
The Palace earlier denied reports that Purisima flew to Saipan to attend an event of a fraternity whose local chapter he heads.
READ: PNP chief now out of Philippines? Palace to verify
"This long silence of President Aquino in regard to the whereabouts and actions of suspended Director General Alan Purisima of the Philippine National Police is another part of the problem," Ramos said in an interview aired on television.
Ramos explained that Aquino, as the commander-in-chief, must have given the go signal for Purisima to go abroad, if the speculations were true.
If Purisima did fly out of the country, the president has the power to order him to return.
The former president noted that the government should focus instead on improving the peace process in Mindanao.
"He is to provide for a better future, not to kill people," Ramos said on Aquino.
Ramos stressed that it may have been the mission of the police to destroy Moro Islamic Liberation Front bases and capture terrorists such as Marwan, but the political mission of the President is to attain peace and development.
Aquino may be invited to testify in the Truth Commission formed to investigate the events leading to the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
On the other hand, Purisima's lawyer assured that the suspended PNP chief will be attending Senate hearings on the Mamasapano operation.
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