Palace: PNoy not hiding Purisima's involvement in Mamasapano mission

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is not concealing the supposed involvement of resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima in the Mamasapano mission that left 44 people dead, Malacañang said.

"Wala namang pagnanasa na huwag magbanggit ng dapat banggitin," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Tuesday when asked why Purisima was only mentioned twice in President Aquino's most detailed account on the Mamasapano mission.

"Hindi lang naman ito yung nag-iisang pagkakataon na pwede siyang magsalita. Noong nakaraan naman ay nagbanggit na rin naman siya na hinggil kay Director General Purisima at wala namang partikular na layunin na hindi banggitin o iwasang banggitin iyon kahapon," Coloma added.

Purisima, Aquino's longtime buddy, has been under fire for getting himself involved in the January 25 Mamasapano mission even if he was then under suspension over corruption allegations. He has been accused of orchestrating the entire operation allegedly under the orders of the president.

In a prayer gathering in Malacañang on Tuesday, Aquino spoke at length for the first time about the events that transpired in Mamasapano, admitting that he was getting updates from Purisima.

READ: Aquino: I was fooled on Mamasapano operation

Aquino explained that he was in touch with Purisima because he never had direct communication with now relieved Special Action Force (SAF) commander Getulio Napeñas.

Citing newspaper reports, the Palace said the President had revealed his exchange of text messages with Purisima during his meeting with Congress leaders on February 23.

"Doon sa pagkakataong 'yon ay nagsalita na ang pangulo tungkol sa pagbibigay ng maling impormasyon ni General Purisima sa kanya," Coloma said.

The Palace official is leaving it up to the Senate and the PNP Board of Inquiry investigating the Mamasapano incident to determine the possible accountability of Purisima.

When asked on whether Aquino should take responsibility for allowing Purisima to get involved in the operation, Coloma said the president had already done so in his address to the nation on February 6.

"Malinaw 'yung kanyang deklarasyon doon: Ako ang ama ng bayan. Anak ko 'yung 44 na namatay. Responsibilidad ko 'yung buong nangyari sa misyon na ginanap," Coloma said, quoting Aquino.