VP Binay to Purisima: Magsalita ka naman

"General Purisima, magsalita ka naman o."

 

This was Vice President Jejomar Binay's dare to suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima amid controversies linking the former police chief to the "misencounter" of elite policemen with members of the MILF and BIFF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Sunday.

 

"Mahirap kung lagi kang itinuturo. Baka kaya ayaw mo sumagot kasi totoo 'yung sinasabi," Binay told reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa.

 

The Vice President arrived early for the necrological services of the 42 elite PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) men who were killed in the misencounter.

 

The PNP-SAF reportedly launched the operation in order to serve an arrest warrant against Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Commander Marwan and bomb maker Basit Usman whose presence had been confirmed in the area.

 

Binay was referring to reports claiming Purisima was the one who gave the order to pursue the operation.

 

"Give us a response and whatever is, a leader like you will know how to accept responsibilities," Binay said. "Deafening silence, but sa mga nagsasalita, siya ang itinuturo."

 

When asked to comment on the lack of knowledge of the PNP's top brass to the operation, Binay just said: "Noong mayor ako, alam ko ang lahat ng nangyayari sa mga tauhan ko."

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said Purisima knew of the operation and gave him advice. —KG, GMA News