MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is not concealing the supposed involvement of resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima in the Mamasapano mission that left 44 people dead, Malacañang said.
"Wala namang pagnanasa na huwag magbanggit ng dapat banggitin," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Tuesday when asked why Purisima was only mentioned twice in President Aquino's most detailed account on the Mamasapano mission.
"Hindi lang naman ito yung nag-iisang pagkakataon na pwede siyang magsalita. Noong nakaraan naman ay nagbanggit na rin naman siya na hinggil kay Director General Purisima at wala namang partikular na layunin na hindi banggitin o iwasang banggitin iyon kahapon," Coloma added.
Purisima, Aquino's longtime buddy, has been under fire for getting himself involved in the January 25 Mamasapano mission even if he was then under suspension over corruption allegations. He has been accused of orchestrating the entire operation allegedly under the orders of the president.
In a prayer gathering in Malacañang on Tuesday, Aquino spoke at length for the first time about the events that transpired in Mamasapano, admitting that he was getting updates from Purisima.
Philstar
