MANILA, Philippines – Resigned police chief Alan Purisima on Wednesday begged off from detailing his supposed communication with President Benigno Aquino III on the anti-terror raid in Mamasapano that ended in the death of 44 members of the Special Action Force.
During the inquiry Wednesday at House of Representatives into the government setback in Mamasapano, Purisima said he should first ask permission from the President before divulging the information.
“I am invoking executive privilege because it involved communications between me and the President concerning national security,” Purisima, who resigned last week following widespread public outrage that he took part in the deadly mission that authorities claimed have killed Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan, said.
Purisima responded to questions by militant lawmakers Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon who demanded answers on Aquino’s alleged hand in the botched operation largely blamed on lack of coordination with authorities.
Colmenares said Purisima cannot invoke executive privilege because only the President can use such right.
“For me that’s out of order because under our rules he’s supposed to answer our questions,” Colmenares said.
“Purisima is in the best position to answer,” he added.
The House committee allowed Purisima to answer the question next hearing scheduled for February 17.
Other officials admitted that they were kept in the dark about the operation.
“Personally wala akong alam kung ano ang alam ng Presidente dito, lalo na dito sa Mamasapano, dahil ako mismo wala akong alam,” PNP officer in charge Leonardo Espina said.
The House committee earlier shot down the motion by Colmenares and Ridon to summon President Aquino or Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa in the next hearing.
Allegations were raised that Aquino authorized Purisima to participate in the planning of the Mamasapano operation while keeping Roxas and other police military and defense officials in the dark.
Sacked Special Action Force commander Getulio Napenas said Purisima gave the order to keep the operation secret. The resigned police chief meanwhile said he only gave advice.
Purisima maintained that his suspension does not mean he is not authorized to give advice. He also insisted that informing Roxas was not part of the chain of command.
Napenas has said Aquino did not give the go-signal on the operation. He also said he has met with the President to give updates on the operation days before the mission.