MANILA, Philippines - Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Thursday questioned resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima for giving an "advice" to PNP Officer-in-Charge Leonardo Espina on the Mamasapano operation despite being on preventive suspension.
During the third day of the Senate inquiry on the Mamasapano incident, Santiago noted that according to the law dictionary, suspended officials are temporarily deprived of their powers and privileges.
"You're under preventive suspension and yet you were still dipping your finger in the pie. You were participating at none of your business at that time," Santiago told Purisima.
Purisima reiterated that he did not give out an order for the operation but rather an advice.
"Don't quibble with me... 'I only advised, I did not order.' Really? Buti sana kung wala akong doctorate o hindi ako nag-graduate sa UP. Malas natin I did both," Santiago said.
Santiago added that Purisima should have stayed quiet during the duration of his preventive suspension and should not have meddled with Oplan Exodus or the Mamasapano operation.
"Kung hindi ka sana nakisali doon baka buhay pa sila," Santiago blamed Purisima for the death of 44 PNP Special Action Force commandos.
Purisima defended himself, saying that the operation was delegated under the control of SAF commander Getulio Napenas.
Santiago then slammed Purisima for "pointing fingers" to the SAF commander, pointing out that there is an officer higher than Napenas.
The senator mentioned the possibility of President Benigno Aquino III giving the direct order to execute the Mamamsapano operation, which Purisima denied.
The resigned PNP chief then took responsibility of the operation.
"I am held accountable of the operation that's why I resigned, your honor," Purisima told Santiago.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales earlier said that Purisima may be held liable for usurpation of authority if proven that he gave orders on the Mamasapano operation while on preventive suspension.
The Philippine Star
