Military reveals more details on how Aquino got updates on the Mamasapano operation

President Benigno Aquino III at the Philippines Investment Forum, 24 March 2015 (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – The House of Representatives got more details on how President Aquino received updates on the Mamasapano operation.

During the inquiry into the operation which killed 67 persons, military officials revealed how Aquino was updated of the events during the operation.

Western Mindanao Command Lt. General Rustico Guerrero said he sent updates to Aquino twice that day.

He said that he informed Aquino about the encounter and that at about 6 a.m. resigned police chief Alan Purisima called him and asked for reinforcements.

“I directed (Espina) being his direct superior to provide necessary support to his SAF in his area of responsibility. Yun ang sinabi ko kay President,” Guerrero said.

“After that, we went back to the conference room and waited for him to update (him) about the Zamboanga car bomb blast,” he added.

During the operation day, Aquino was also in Mindanao for a briefing on the bombing incident in Zamboanga City.

He also explained that he did not inform the president of the casualties by around 3:40 p.

m. since he assumed that the president was already informed by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

“I assumed that the text was already relayed by the Secretary of Interior,” Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives’ inquiry on the case is still ongoing.