Senators probing Mamasapano incident hold executive session with Purisima

Resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Tuesday held their third executive session on the Mamasapano incident, this time, to hear the testimony of resigned Philippine National Police Chief Director General Alan Purisima and another police official.

The closed-door meeting resumed at 1:05 p.m. with the attendance of at least nine senators.

The nine were Senator Grace Poe, who is leading the Senate probe as head of the committee on public order, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Teofisto Guingona III, Sonny Angara, Gregorio Honasan, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Nancy Binay and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Aside from Purisima, the senators will also listen to the testimony of Police Superintendent Fernando Mendez Jr., director for intelligence group, in a closed-door meeting.

After holding three public hearings last week, the senators started holding executive sessions for survivors of the Mamasapano encounter that left 44 elite policemen dead, and some police and military officials involved in the operation.

Poe earlier told reporters that they would decide whether or not to disclose to the public some of the information discussed during the closed-door meetings.

RELATED STORIES

Poe: Executive session with ex-SAF chief more ‘honest’ but won’t disclose details

Senators resume executive session on Mamasapano probe