Palace: Let probe take its course

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang will let the investigation into the Mamasapano incident take its course amid allegations that suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima was in control of the operation to capture two terrorists that resulted in the death of 44 elite police commandos.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday that the administration is one with the public in its quest to find out the truth behind the incident.

Coloma added President Aquino told those wounded during the operation to write down their “recollection and what they could remember” about what happened because their statements could help in completing the “after-action report” or assessment of the Mamasapano incident.

The President met with the families of each of the slain SAF operatives, the wounded and the rest of the force when he stayed at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City from Friday morning up to almost 1 a.m. yesterday during the memorial services for the SAF “Fallen44.”

Coloma said the President wanted to personally thank and assure them he was one with them in their grief.

Coloma said the President opened the lines of communication with the SAF regarding their concerns.

“The President requested them for an exchange (of communication) or for them to express their sentiments in whatever way – they can see him, they can write, they can course it through their officials,” he said.

Before facing the troopers, Coloma said the President met with the wounded SAF operatives who were part of the law enforcement operation against two terror suspects.

Coloma said there were more than 10 of those wounded-in-action who spoke with the President, some of whom were still wheelchair-bound or wearing an arm sling because of injuries they sustained during the firefight.

Getting the details

Coloma noted the Board of Inquiry formed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II will reportedly include in its investigation Purisima’s possible breach of protocol for remotely leading the operation even as he was suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman. – Aie Balagtas See