Roxas denies asking Aquino to sack Purisima, Ochoa

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II vehemently denied on Thursday a newspaper report claiming he demanded President Benigno Aquino III to sack suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

In a statement, Roxas asked the Manila Standard Today, which reported the alleged incident citing a Palace source, “not to rely on the imagination of your sources or spin doctors.”

“Hindi nangyari ang sinasabing pang-iistorbo ko sa pag-uusap nina Pangulong Aquino at Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima sa Palasyo para hingin ang pagbibitiw nina Executive Secretary Ochoa at PNP Director General Purisima,” Roxas said in a statement Thursday.

(There is no truth to the report that I barged in during the conversation of President Aquino and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to ask for the sacking of Executive Sec. Ochoa and PNP Director General Purisima.)

“Pawang kasinungalingan iyan at nagpapakita ng kawalan ng propesyunalismo.”

(That is all pure lie and reeks of the absence of professionalism.)

The broadsheet report, quoting an anonymous Palace source, had claimed that Roxas sought the sacking of Ochoa and Purisima over the carnage of 44 Special Action Force troopers in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The report also quoted Roxas as saying: “If you don’t fire Purisima, babagsak ka. That would trigger your downfall, Mr. President.”

“I recommend the firing of Purisima and Ochoa. This is the least that we can do for the families who are hurting and the start to show the government is sincere and is doing something to ensure that justice is served. We promised that justice be served,” Roxas reportedly told Aquino in a Tuesday emergency meeting in Malacañang.

Aquino declined to grant Roxas’ demand, the report added.

“I appeal to the Manila Standard to get your facts straight and not rely on the imagination of your sources or spin doctors,” Roxas said.