Noynoy: Purisima was only a 'resource person' on Mamasapano ops

Former President Benigno Aquino III has argued that the Office of the Ombudsman never gave him a chance to defend himself on the graft and usurpation charges filed against him with regards to the ill-fated Mamasapano clash in 2015.

"Unfortunately, in my case, I was not given the opportunity to adequately address and refute the charges for usurpation and violation of Section 3(a) of RA 3019 prior to the issuance of the assailed resolution," Aquino said in his 19-page motion for reconsideration dated July 18.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of charges against Aquino on the deadly operation, dubbed as Oplan Exodus, which neutralized wanted terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan at the expense of the lives of 44 troops of the Special Action Force.

Aquino had previously been cleared by the Ombudsman of homicide raps related to the Mamasapano incident. The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, who filed the complaints, had alleged that Aquino was fully aware of the operation against Marwan and acted in conspiracy with Purisima, who was then under preventive suspension.

In a previous interview with GMA News, Aquino had noted that the counter-affidavit he had submitted before the Ombudsman pertained to the homicide charges.

All resources available

In his appeal on the usurpation charge, Aquino emphasized that he was only exercising his duty to maximize all government resources available to ensure the success of the operation.

"I can directly order any person or any subordinate to do what must be done -- including those acting as resource persons to provide vital information and inputs to guide me in fully understanding the nuances of a police operation," Aquino said.

"To stress, there is nothing irregular, much less illegal, about my act of utilizing all the resources available at my disposal, including sourcing information and inputs from anyone -- whether they are in active service or not," he added.

Aquino also denied that he acted in conspiracy with his co-accused, saying the Ombudsman's findings failed to prove he influenced Purisima and Napenas.

Text messages between Aquino and Purisima showed the two were in touch about Oplan Exodus. 

But Aquino said Purisima never acted as a PNP chief on the operation, saying his only involvement was "limited to being a mere resource person and subject matter expert" given his knowledge of Marwan.

"Similarly, neither did I give any specific instructions to respondent Napenas that he directly report to respondent Purisima. Whatever reporting he did, if he did report to Purisima, was his judgment call and was clearly made of his own volition -- and not because I ordered him to do so," Aquino added. —NB/JST, GMA News