PNP chief now out of Philippines? Palace to verify
MANILA, Philippines - Is suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima now out of the country amid reports of his alleged involvement in the Mamasapano carnage?
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace will look into reports that Purisima flew to Saipan on Friday.
"I'm not sure if the story that he left is accurate. We will verify with the Bureau of Immigration," Lacierda told Palace reporters.
Lacierda is also leaving it up to the government-formed board of inquiry and other bodies probing the Mamasapano encounter to invite Purisima to participate in their proceedings.
Purisima, who was suspended late last year over corruption allegations, is now in hot water over accusations that he planned the entire fatal covert operation that killed 44 members of the elite PNP Special Action Force (SAF).
Reports said Purisima called the shots and reported directly to his long-time friend, President Benigno Aquino III, who assigned the operation to him.
Purisima allegedly ran the show without the knowledge of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP officer-in-charge and Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.
In his televised address to the nation last week, Aquino said Purisima reported to him from May 2014 and helped him to understand police jargon for the operation.
But Aquino clarified that Purisima was only involved until the Ombudsman ordered his suspension.
"Tapos after that, if at all, 'yung siya ang very knowledgeable about the whole thing; ipinapaliwanag sa akin 'yung intricacies of what the plan being presented to be was," Aquino said before national television.
Purisima has yet to issue a statement on the issue.
Several officials have urged Purisima to disclose his knowledge on the Mamasapano operation including Sen. Grace Poe, whose committee will start on Wednesday its inquiry into the incident.
"Isn't it natural for a person to defend his name, come out and tell the people that he has nothing to do with the operations?" Poe said.
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