MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang denied on Tuesday that President Benigno Aquino III refused to be interviewed by the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (PNP BOI) investigating the deadly Mamasapano incident.
In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the head of the BIO never said in the first place that President Aquino needs to be interviewed for the Mamasapano report.
"Walang sinabi si Director (Benjamin) Magalong na kailangan pang kausapin ng BOI si Pangulo. There is no reference to any letter or any verbal request (to interview Aquino)," Coloma said.
Coloma was quoting Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo, PNP spokesman, who was present during Magalong's press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.
In the press briefing, Magalong reportedly said that the BOI has relayed to Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II their intention to interview Aquino.
"We have not received feedback from his office. We have already expressed our intention but it’s the prerogative of the president," he said, the STAR quoted Magalong as saying.
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Coloma said he has no information on any written or verbal request from the BOI.
Magalong has asked for the BOI to have three more days to complete its report on January 25 botched police operation.
He said the BOI hopes to interview some key players, who had canceled their follow up interviews.