Aquino-Purisima consultation on SAF operation not illegal–Palace

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III did not violate the law when he decided to consult the then suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima on the ongoing operations to arrest international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said Tuesday.

The statement came after the second day of the Senate hearing on the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) operation in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao, which left 44 policemen dead.

Quoting Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the Palace official said, “No law prohibits the President from exercising his discretion to get the views of a suspended official on a particular matter if this would raise the confidence level of the President’s executive decision-making, so long as the act does not involve the performance of official functions pertaining to the post from which the official concerned was suspended from.”

Coloma said there was also nothing unusual in Aquino meeting with Purisima at “Bahay Pangarap” in Malacañang.

“Bahay Pangarap is the official residence of the President where he also receives visitors and conducts meetings,” he said.

The Secretary pointed out that the President himself said that Purisima was only helping him better understand the “jargon” and the “intricacies” of the plan to nab Marwan.

Aquino has been accused of allowing the embattled Purisima to direct the operations against Marwan despite the Ombudsman ordering his preventive suspension due to an anomalous contract.

Both officials have been blamed for the deaths of the SAF troopers. Initial reports said the SAF group had a “misencounter” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The SAF head’s decision—as advised by Purisima—to keep PNP officer in charge Leonardo Espina, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and the military in the dark, was said to have contributed to the large number of casualties.