Purisima says he gave Napeñas advice, not order

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

Video by Cathy Miranda/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — It was merely an advice, not an order.

This was the defense offered on Monday by former Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima on his alleged directive to delay informing Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina of the operation to get wanted Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan.

When grilled by Senator Teofisto Guingona III during the Senate inquiry on the Maguindanao incident, Purisima denied ordering relieved Special Action Force commander Police Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. to tell Roxas and Espina about the “Operation Exodus” during the jump off of troops to Mamasapano on January 25.

Resigned Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Alan Purisima takes his oath at the start of the Philippine Senate probe on the police operation to capture Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, or Marwan, one of Asia’s most-wanted terror suspects on Jan. 25 that killed 44 elite police commandos, Monday, Feb. 9, 2015 at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. AP

When asked what was on his mind when he told Napeñas the “order,” Purisima said: “I didn’t give any orders. But if ever I uttered words, it was a form of advice not a directive.”

Guingona retorted, “if you tell me it was just a suggestion, let’s not play with words anymore.”

Apparently irked with Purisima’s vague response, Guingona asked him what was his motivation in telling Napeñas to delay informing Roxas and Espina.

“There’s no motivation. We were just following what was in the plan and that included me,” he said.

Earlier, Napeñas said Purisima had told him in verbatim: “Huwag mo munang sabihin sa dalawa. Saka na kapag nandoon na. Ako na ang bahala kay Catapang.”

Catapang was Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff.