Longtime pals PNoy, Purisima at center of controversy over Mamasapano operation

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).

 

This, despite being suspended as PNP chief since December because of a graft case.

 

A Philippine Star report citing unnamed sources even identified Purisima as the one calling the shots during the operation.

 

In contrast, acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Aquino’s close ally, have both said they were unaware of the operation in Mamasapano town.

 

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.

 

“Buhat noon, hindi na po matatawaran ang aming naging samahan at ugnayan; wala man sa poder o katungkulan, alam naming masasandigan namin ang isa’t isa tungo sa tuwid at tama para sa ating mga kababayan,” President Aquino said during the PNP change of command ceremony two years ago.

 

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.

 

After his stint at the PSG, Purisima was assigned as operations officer of the SAF, a position he held until 1991.

 

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.

 

“Nung nakilala ko siya in the ’87— or probably in ’86 — pero ’87 ko talaga siya nakilala nang masinsinan—and from that time to the present, hindi ko nakita itong taong ito na maluho, matakaw,” the president said.

 

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.

 

Purisima’s son and lawyer, Kristoffer James Purisima, said the suspended PNP chief will attend the Senate probe.

 

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