'Purisima had no intention of not following PNoy orders'

MANILA, Philippines - Resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima did not know when the plan to capture Malaysian terrorist Marwan and his accomplice Basit Usman would be implemented, his lawyer reiterated on Monday.

 

Lawyer Kristoffer James Purisima said his client "had no intention of not following the directive of the President."

 

"Under the circumstances, PDG Purisima didn't know when Operation Exodus will be implemented. He was informed only at 5:45 a.m. on January 25. Not even the time on target but much after the fact," Purisima's lawyer said in a text message. 

 

The resigned PNP chief was reacting to reports that he did not follow President's Aquino to inform PNP officer in charge Leonardo Espina and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Philippines Gregorio Catapang of the operation.

 

Purisima's lawyer maintained that he was only informed when assistance to the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers was needed. 

 

"It was PDG's Purisima's plan to inform OICPNP and CSAFP upon knowing that the PNP-SAF will already jump off for the mission, in compliance with the order of the President," the legal counsel added.