Purisima: I did not lie to Noy

MANILA, Philippines - Although President Aquino had earlier stated that then suspended police chief Alan Purisima lied to him over some details of the covert operation, Purisima denied lying to the President.

In a 13-page position paper submitted to the Senate committee investigating the Mamasapano fiasco, Purisima said, “I take this opportunity to underscore that I did not lie to the President about the status of Operation Exodus in the morning of 25 Jan. 2015.”

“It is not in my character to relay inaccurate information to the President. When I informed the President about the status of Operation Exodus, the officer-in-charge, PNP, Gen. Catapang and Lt. Gen. Guerrero were already aware that hostile forces have engaged our PNP troopers,” he added, referring to Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Western Mindanao Command chief Gen. Rustico Guerrero.

Purisima added that it was incumbent on those who were with the President on Jan. 25 “to brief the Chief Executive and provide vital information as they had direct contact with the ground commanders.”