Purisima on Mamasapano operation: It was advice, not an order

(Updated 4:46 p.m.) Embattled former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima on Monday told a Senate inquiry that he only gave advice on the Special Action Force's manhunt against suspected terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan. He denied giving orders to the teams involved in the Mamasapano operation on Jan. 25.

"During my preventive suspension, I did not give any order. I just [gave] advice, not as a directive or order," Purisima told the Senate committee on public order, which was investigating the incident. "I have no role in that operation."

However, former PNP-SAF head Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. said that he received from Purisima a text message on Jan. 19 on whether the operation to arrest Marwan should proceed.

Napeñas said Purisima's response was: "Plan is a go on the timeline, Jan. 23 to 26."

During the hearing, Purisima denied knowing that the operation in Mamasapano proceeded on Jan. 25. "I did not know that the PNP-SAF jumped off already," he said.

Purisima, who resigned after the incident, has been accused of overseeing the Mamasapano operation despite his suspension as PNP chief in connection with graft charges.

Napeñas, meanwhile, denied that he was a ‘bata’ (protégé) of Purisima.

“I am not, I was not, I will never be a ‘bata’ of Director General Purisima, neither of any official from both the military and the police, nor any politician or person for that matter,” Napeñas said, belying the claims of retired Chief Supt. Rodolfo ‘Boogie’ Mendoza.

Mendoza reportedly said in television interviews that Napeñas is a favored officer of Purisima, the reason the the former SAF commander gave importance to the words of the resigned PNP chief.
 
Confirmation of the plan

Asked by Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III on who gave the order to proceed with the operation, Napeñas said: "It’s a continuing operation approved by PNP chief Purisima in Nov 29, 2014."

Pressed for more information, Napeñas said that there was no direct order from higher ranking PNP officials to proceed.

However, he said Purisima's text message on Jan. 19 served as confirmation of the plan.

While the government allegedly neutralized Marwan, the alleged mastermind in the 2002 Bali bombing in Indonesia, the operation led to a clash between the policemen and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the area.

Aside from the 44 police fatalities, the encounter also resulted in the deaths of 14 MILF fighters and several civilians.

The encounter also cast a shadow on the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the MILF, the largest secessionist organization in the country.

"White House" meeting

During Monday's hearing, Guingona grilled Purisima on his supposed motivation in connection with the Mamasapano operation. When Purisima insisted that he merely gave advice, Guingona was visibly irked.

"Obviously, the response is not adequate. I am just asking your motivation for saying that… your answer was not acceptable," the senator said.

After Guingona's grilling, Senate President Franklin bared reports that pre-operation meetings were done in the so-called White House inside Camp Crame, referring to the official residence of the PNP chief inside the police organization's main camp.

Purisima admitted that meetings were held at the White House even during his suspension. He said he participated in two meetings, but again denied giving orders regarding the operation. —KBK/NB/JST, GMA News