MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III will address the nation for the second time since the January 25 Mamasapano tragedy that killed 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).
According to Aquino's amended schedule provided by Malacañang this noon, he will deliver a message to the nation at 6:30 p.m.
The President's scheduled speech comes amid reports that embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima offered to resign in the face of allegations that he planned the botched covert SAF operation against top Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan.
READ: Purisima offers to quit PNP post
Earlier reports claimed that Purisima called the shots and reported directly to Aquino even if he has been suspended by the Ombudsman over corruption allegations.
The STAR reported today that according to Malacañang insiders, Aquino had insisted on delivering another national televised address today to accept full responsibility for the Mamasapano incident.
"He wants to end it all by taking the blame," the STAR quoted a source as saying.
Earlier this week, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the president will deliver his address once the PNP Board of Inquiry completes its probe on the fatal police operation.
In his televised address on January 28, Aquino admitted prior knowledge of the police operation, but said the Special Action Force chief had observed "very minimum compliance" with his directive for proper coordination.
Aquino said Purisima had coordinated with him on the operation, but only before the police chief’s suspension last December.
There were also reports that Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II barged into a meeting between Aquino and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to demand Purisima's ouster.
An angry Roxas, who supposedly told Aquino that keeping the PNP chief will trigger his downfall, allegedly walked out on the President when he refused to sack Purisima.
Roxas and Malacañang denied that the incident transpired.
READ: Palace: No Aquino-Roxas meeting on firing Purisima, Ochoa