Purisima on Mamasapano: I gave advice, not order
MANILA, Philippines - Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima on Monday insisted that he had no role in the operation to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
"During my preventive suspension, I did not give any orders to any PNP official or personnel regarding Oplan Exodus but if I ever uttered words to that effect, it was in the form of an advice, not as a directive or order," Purisima told senators during a hearing on the Mamasapano operation.
Relieved PNP Special Action Force (SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas admitted that he considered Purisima's "advice" in executing the mission.
Napeñas added that Purisima texted him on January 19 asking about the plan on the Mamasapano operation.
"Napeñas knows very well that he cannot and should not follow orders from anyone who is not in the chain of command such as from suspended police officer," Purisima said.
The resigned PNP chief noted that he sat on meetings regarding the Mamasapano operation and voiced out his observations on the matter.
On the other hand, Napeñas clarified that it was his decision to execute the operation from January 23 to 26, as planned beforehand.
"There was no direct order for me, your honor, but I based the decision to go based on the continuing operations that we have done," Napeñas told senators, adding that he also texted Purisima about the said plan.
President Benigno Aquino III accepted the resignation of Purisima who has been tagged as the person behind the Mamasapano operation, wherein 44 SAF commandos were killed during a bloody encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
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