Purisima: Roxas and Espina were not informed of Mamasapano for ‘security purposes’

Resigned PNP Chief Alan Purisima at the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash (screenshot from Rappler footage)

MANILA – According to resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima, he advised SAF commander Leo Napenas not to inform his direct superiors regarding the details of the horribly executed Mamasapano operation for “security purposes.”

Speaking before the Senate on Tuesday, Purisima said that he opted to keep Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP OIC Leonardo Espina in the dark “for operational security purposes,” pointing out that he was merely following the plan.

Napenas, on the other hand, noted that although there was no direct order from President Aquino to go ahead with the Mamasapano operation, the approval to do so was implied.

“The two occasions that I joined Purisima for the mission update with the president, I was never given any guidance that the mission is a no-go,” he stated.

Meanwhile, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, President Aquino was not in violation of any law in his decision to consult with Purisima – who was initially suspended  from his position, on charges of alleged graft and corruption – on the mission to seize international terrorist and bom maker Marwan.

The Senate’s inquiry into the Mamasapano massacre resumes on Thursday, February 12.