MANILA (UPDATED) - Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima on Friday denied orchestrating the Special Action Force (SAF) operation in Maguindanao on January 25 that resulted in the death of 44 special police commandos.
Purisima, in an interview on radio dzMM, said he was only told of the Mamasapano operation after it was launched.
"Iyung sinasabi nila na ako ay nagmando sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao ay isa pong kasinungalingan po iyun," he said.
"Hindi po ako nagmamando doon. Ako po, alam ko po yung plano nung Mamasapano dahil ako nga po yung chief nung ito'y pinaplano pa nung mga bandang part ng 2014," Purisima said.
He said the responsibility for the operation was in the hands of the ground commander -- or now sacked SAF chief Getulio Napeñas.
"Iyung ground commander po, meron pong organizational set-up ng PNP-SAF, meron silang ground commander. Kanya-kanya po silang designation," he said.
He was still serving his suspension when the Mamasapano operation was launched.
"Ngayon, iyung sinasabi ng karamihan na ako ang nagmamando na parang ako daw po ay namulot sa silid or ano, hindi po totoo yun. Ako po ay naimpormahan lang nung (January) 25 na tungkol dun sa lakad na natuloy na," he said.
He said he felt responsible for the death of the 44 police officers.
"Nung nasawi po yung ating gallant 44 SAF personnel, panahon po natin kahit tayo ay suspendido as chief PNP eh tayo pa rin po ang chief ng Philippine National Police and we feel responsible kumbaga tayo pa rin ang tatay nila kahit na suspendido tayo, we feel responsible kumbaga," Purisima said.
"Ako ay nakikiramay sa kanilang pamilya dahil sila ay nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan, para sa kapayapaan ng bayan."
"'Yun lang po ang masasabi ko sa ngayon. Ang mga detalye po sa ibang patungkol sa Mamasapano operation ay maririnig po natin pag nagkaroon nang imbestigasyon sa Senado," he added.
RESIGNATION LETTER
Purisma also read the content of his resignation letter that President Aquino earlier said he has accepted.
"While we (had) a successful mission against terrorism in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, this came at very high cost," the letter said. "Allow me to express my sympathy to the families of my fellow SAF policemen."
"I once was a SAF member and I know the sacrifice of each and every member," Purisima said. "To this, my salute to the brave and gallant 44 SAF personnel."
"I wish to express my gratitude for having given me the opportunity to serve our country and for standing by me at every critical situation. Through all the years of service as Chief of PNP, we assure you Mr. President that the "tuwid na daan" has been my guiding principle and inspiration," it added.
The Ombudsman last December ordered the 6-month preventive suspension of Purisima and other top police officials in connection with the administrative complaint involving the courier service contract between the PNP and Werfast documentary agency in 2011.
The Ombudsman also ordered the preventive suspension of several police officers involving the missing 1,004 high-powered AK-47 rifles that were allegedly sold to the New People's Army (NPA).
Purisima did not directly answer a question regarding a provision in the law which disallows government officials from resigning if they have a pending case.
"Kung ganun po ang magiging kapupuntahan natin, baka iyung binabanggit niyo 'yung retirement," he said. "Sa November, magre-retire na po ako."
He said he will attend a Senate hearing on Monday on the Mamasapano operation.
source: abs-cbn
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