Purisima admits informing Espina about Oplan Exodus later than Aquino’s order

MANILA, Philippines – Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Alan Purisima confirmed on Tuesday that the President had directed him to tell PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina about the Mamasapano operation but only did so on the day the operation was launched.

“Your honor, I informed Police Deputy Director General Espina on the morning of January 25,” Purisima said, responding to Senate President Franklin Drilon’s query during the resumption of the Senate hearing on the incident.

“And I confirm the order was given to me by the President, your honor,” he said.

“The order was given to you but you only informed him after the operation was already launched and in fact, na nagkakabakbakan ng alas-kwatro ng madaling araw yung tropa at si Marwan?” asked Drilon to which Purisima answered “yes.”

Marwan is Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who along with another suspected terrorist Basit Usman, were the targets of the police operation last January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left 44 elite policemen dead.

A Philippine Daily Inquirer report on Tuesday cited a source who said that Aquino told congressmen during a meeting at Malacañang on Monday that he had ordered Purisima to inform Espina ahead of the operation.

During the past hearings of the Senate, Purisima admitted that he advised relieved PNP-Special Action Force head Director Getulio Napeñas not to inform Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas about the operation.

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First posted Feb. 24, 2015, 1:07 p.m.