Palace: PNoy has no regrets with Purisima’s involvement in Mamasapano

President Benigno Aquino III has no regrets over involving resigned Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima in the Mamasapano operation despite the official's suspension, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Tuesday. 

 

“Wala naman akong narinig o nakita na pagpapahiwatig niya regarding any ‘regret,’” Coloma said in a press briefing, when asked if Aquino was now second-guessing Purisima's involvement after the operation led to the death of 44 policemen.

 

Coloma added that through it all, Aquino merely wants to know the entire truth of what happened in Mamasapano.

 

“Ang nasaksihan ko lang nitong nakaraang halos isang buwan na ay ‘yung  determinasyon ng Pangulo na mabatid ‘yung buong katotohanan para maging ganap ‘yung kanyang pag-unawa at maging gabay din ito for future actions,” Coloma said. 

 

A special unit of the PNP-Special Action Force tried to serve outstanding warrants of arrests against Filipino bomb maker Abdulbasit Usman and Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Abu Marwan who were in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano in Maguindanao—a stronghold of the rebel groups last January 25. 

 

The team caught in a firefight with MILF and Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters and led to the death of 44 members of the elite police force and 18 MILF men. 

 

In the aftermath, Aquino admitted Purisima, who was then suspended over corruption charges, advised him over technical matters of the operations. He resigned as PNP chief in the aftermath of the encounter.

 

A senate hearing this week showed Purisima was also the one who informed Aquino that the operation to capture Marwan has started. —NB, GMA News