Binay hits Purisima: Why resign if you didn't do anything wrong?

ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA - Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday criticized resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima for coming out almost two weeks after the Mamasapano encounter only to deny involvement in the bloody operation.

"Former PNP chief Alan Purisima made the nation wait for 12 days. Almost two weeks had passed before he decided to speak up... It would have been better had he clarified his involvement in Mamasapano at the outset," Binay said in a statement.

Binay said Purisima's statements also contradict those of relieved PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) commander Getulio Napeñas and other sources who claim that he was involved in the planning and implementation of the January 25 operation despite his suspension.

He questioned why Purisima resigned if he did nothing wrong. "And if he did not commit any transgression as he claims, then why did he resign his post?"

Purisima on Friday denied having direct involvement in the Mamasapano operation, saying he only came to know that it was being executed when SAF troopers were already engaged in a firefight with Muslim rebels.

According to Binay, what Purisima said -- and did not say -- only stoked fears of a cover-up on what really happened in the encounter.

He stressed the need to create an independent fact-finding commission, even as several investigations are set to be conducted in the following days.

"In the absence of an independent fact-finding commission created by law, it is incumbent on all Filipinos to closely monitor the proceedings to ensure that they are transparent, fair and non-partisan even if the main person involved is a close friend of the President."

He urged the public to remain vigilant, saying the people responsible for the deaths of 44 SAF troopers should be made accountable.

"I would like to reiterate my position that to achieve this end, the investigation must be transparent, fair and independent. It is only through such an investigation that we can assure our people that the Fallen 44 will be given justice," he said.

The vice president also said Purisima should not be allowed to claim his benefits from government, citing a pending complaint against him.

"It should be clarified and emphasized that he resigned his post as chief of the PNP and not as a member of the police force since this is not allowed by law because of a pending complaint against him. One of the penalties imposed by law on government employees is the forfeiture of their benefits from the government. Thus it should be clarified and emphasized that as long as the investigation is ongoing, Purisima should not be allowed to claim his benefits," Binay said.