President Benigno Aquino III and suspended police chief Director General Alan Purisima are both at the center of controversy for the botched operation in Maguindanao last week, which left 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) dead.
Aquino admitted last week that he tapped Purisima to explain the “intricacies” of the plan to arrest Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as “Commander Marwan,” which ultimately led to the deadly clash involving the PNP-SAF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
A Philippine Star report citing unnamed sources even identified Purisima as the one calling the shots during the operation.
Why did the President put his trust in a police official who was not even supposed to be performing his official duties for advice on this operation? Their longtime friendship may provide an explanation.
‘Invaluable’ connection
In a speech after Purisima’s appointment to helm the PNP in December 2012, Aquino said he has an “invaluable” connection with the police official that dates back to 1987.
Purisima was the commanding officer of the Presidential Group of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) at a time when the administration of President Aquino’s mother, Corazon, was being rocked by coup attempts.
Aquino likewise acknowledged his deep personal relationship with and solid trust in Purisima.
“Siguro, buong balahibo natin ay kilalang kilalang kilala na sa isa’t isa. Kaya ganoon nalang ang aking tiwala na hindi tayo ni minsan nagkahiwalay sa pananaw sa kung anong tama dito sa bansa natin,” the president said then.
Purisima ‘not greedy’
In a media interview during his US trip last year, Aquino also attested to Purisima’s good character.
The president narrated how Purisima never sought revenge on individuals who subjected him to a painful hazing ceremony, which involved the dropping of a cannonball on his torso, while he was still a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Aquino also said that Purisima never complained about the minimal pay given to members of the PSG and the SAF before.
Aquino made these statements at a time when Purisima was being accused of owning a mansion in Nueva Ecija and of involvement in supposed irregularities in the renovation of the PNP chief’s official quarters inside Camp Crame.
The suspended PNP chief has denied these allegations.
Purisima to testify in Senate probe
Amid reports of Purisima’s involvement in the SAF operation, the public will still have to wait until next week to hear the suspended PNP chief’s side.
The Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, headed by Senator Grace Poe, and the committee on peace, unification and reconciliation, headed by Senator Teofisto Guingona III, are set to hold a hearing on the deadly clash on Feb. 9 and 10.
Senator Poe said she will ask Purisima if he indeed called the shots during the Mamasapano operation, why he reportedly did so despite being suspended, and why he has not condoled with the family members of the slain SAF members. — JDS, GMA News
