Mendoza: Purisima ran the show
A policeman walks past flowers offered in memory of the slain members of the Special Action Force (SAF) at the Philippine National Police Headquarters gate in Quezon City Wednesday. Forty-four elite police officers were killed during the bloody encounter with Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels Sunday, reportedly a “misencounter” with Muslim rebels after a lack of coordination by the PNP led by its chief, Gen. Alan Purisima (inset with President Benigno Aquino III, right). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – A top intelligence officer wants heads to roll for the bloody Maguindanao operation that left 44 police commandos dead.
Former police chief superintendent Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza said President Aquino himself should be held accountable.
“From the project sponsor to the coordinator, case officer and others who planned and designed that and most importantly even the President has the accountability,” he said.
Mendoza is questioning why Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima continued to call the shots even after being suspended by the Ombudsman.
“Gustong bumawi ni chief PNP against all those alleged backlash against him,” he said.
“He is not only running the show, he is controlling the implementation of the project with the permission of the Executive Secretary and the President himself.”
Mendoza also called the President’s defense of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa questionable. He refused to believe that Ochoa was not aware of the operation to capture Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.
Ochoa is the anti-terrorism czar and the head of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
“According to information, he is on top of it. He provides funding. How come ang PAOCC ay bumaba sa tactical level?” he asked. “Because of this policy shift, pinondohan directly ng PAOCC yung mga chosen case operator na ang plan ay national in scope.”
Mendoza, however, believes DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina may have been kept in the dark.
The reason, he thinks, is politics.
“Our counterterrorism policies, structures and systems are deeply marred by politics. That is one of the truth. They attempted to compartmentalize Secretary Roxas and the OIC of the PNP,” he said.
A board of inquiry has been created to look into the Maguindanao encounter but Mendoza wants an independent investigation.
“It is not appropriate at this time that the board of inquiry is composed of generals who are classmates of General Purisima. How are we sure General Purisima will not influence the board of inquiry clandestinely?”
Mendoza said he has no rift with Purisima, saying his expose against the suspended PNP chief is a call of duty. (MNS)