By Chantal Nabong
The encounter between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and government that ensued in Mamasapano area at Mindanao pins blame on resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director, General Alan Purisima.
As soon as the Board of Inquiry’s report on Mamasapano proceeds to Camp Crame, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary, Manuel Roxas III, cleared President Aquino’s name over the mishandled police operation, and pinned the blame to the former police chief for not following President’s order.
He said that based on what he read on the report, President Aquino was not in any way responsible in the Operation, and was just doing his job as a commander-in-chief when he commanded the neutralization of Malaysian bomber, “Marwan”, and Filipino bomb-maker Basit Usman.
“The order was to apprehend or serve the warrant on Marwan and Usman. Nothing’s wrong with that, trabaho niya yan. Kung hindi niya ginawa yan, may pananagutan ang Pangulo. Ang pagpapalano ay iniutos ni Purisima kay Napenas, so nasa sa kanila na kung ginawa nila ang dapat nilang gawin,” Roxas said.
Roxas put the blame on Purisima and Napenas for mishandling the operation and for not abiding president’s order to synchronize their operation with the military.
“The President took steps precisely to correct that situation by ordering that OIC Espina, be told about this, he ordered this to a four-star general, he ordered this to a two-star general. Siguro naman the President, it is reasonable for him to assume na ang kanyang mga utos ay kanyang susundin,” Roxas added.
On the other side, Purisima’s lawyer, Kristoffer Purisima, accused Roxas of prejudging the case and playing to certain sectors of the public.
Purisima’s lawyer assured that they will speak towards allegations at the right time and forum.
The said operation, Oplan Exodus, took place on January 25, 2015, in Mamasapano area at Mindanao, were 67 Filipinos died during the battle against top NBI wanted terrorist, Marwan.
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