Purisima gave go signal — Napenas

Sacked SAF Chief Getulio Pascual Napenas (center) at the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash (Photo courtesy of Sen. Grace Poe’s Facebook page)

MANILA — It was then-suspended PNP Chief Director Alan Purisima who gave the go signal to launch  the Mamasapano operation, according to relieved police Special Action Force (SAF) head Director Getulio Napenas.

After denying during past hearings that it was indeed, Purisima who gave him the orders, Napenas finally admitted that the go ahead came from the then, PNP chief.

During the resumption of the Senate hearing, Senate President Franklin Drilon brought up a text conversation between Napenas and Purisima, two weeks before the encounter.

Drilon said that Purisima received a text from Napenas recommending “to follow the secondary date as the additional personnel to be used are deployed in Tacloban for the Pope visit. More so, the primary date is too tight while we have a longer window on the secondary.”

When asked to explain the message, Napenas said that he recommended that the operation be done on a later date – January 25 to 26 given that the visit of Pope Francis was the priority at the moment.

“That’s secondary date?” asked Drilon to which Napeñas answered “Yes.”

“And in that same text, you said ‘for your consideration and approval’ addressed to Purisima?”” the senator asked again.

“Yes,” Napeñas said.

“That’s on January 13, 2015 at 1:07 p.m. Thats correct?” Drilon asked and Napeñas answered “Yes.”

“And Purisima said at 1:47 pm and I quote: ‘Ok na go, for the secondary schedule.’ Do you confirm that?” the senator asked, to which the sacked SAF head said “Yes.”

“In other words, Purisima gave the approval that you go on the secondary date? Very clear?” asked Drilon.

Napeñas said: “Yes, your honor.”

“While he was under suspension?” the senator asked again. Napeñas said, “Yes, your honor.”

Napenas also admitted that Purisima told him not to tell Secretary Roxas and Volt Gazmin of the operation.