Mar denies asking PNoy to fire Purisima, Ochoa

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A Manila Standard Today report cited an unnamed source who claimed that Roxas barged into a meeting between President Noynoy Aquino and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to ask for the firing of suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

No less than Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has denied a newspaper report that he demanded that President Aquino fire suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa for the Mamasapano operation.

Newspaper report's source makes detailed claims
In a statement, Roxas denied that he barged into a meeting between President Aquino and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to ask for the firing of Purisima and Ochoa.
"Hindi nangyari ang sinasabing nang-istorbo daw ako habang nag meeting si Pangulong Aquino at DOF Sec Purisima sa Palasyo para i-demand ang pag-resign ni ES Ochoa at CPNP Purisima. Pawang kasinungalingan yan at nagpapakita ng kawalan ng propesyunalismo. I appeal to the Manila Standard to get your facts straight and not rely on imagination of your sources or spin doctors," he said.

A Manila Standard Today report earlier said Roxas told President Aquino to fire Purisima for ordering the Mamasapano operation that killed 44 elite PNP Special Action Force troopers.
The source of the Manila Standard Today report claimed that Roxas had told Aquino: "If you don’t fire Purisima, babagsak ka. That would trigger your downfall, Mr. President."
It said Roxas also wanted Ochoa sacked for funding the Mamasapano operation.
The report said President Aquino refused both requests, which was allegedly relayed by Roxas during a meeting between Aquino and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.

Lacierda weighs in
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, however, denied the report, saying that no such incident occurred.

"The February 3, 2015, 1:00 p.m., meeting with Secretary Cesar Purisima, which the article referred to, did not push through. This article is premised on something that never took place," he said.
He added: "During a time of mourning for our country, we call upon all sectors to practice prudence and refrain from adding to the grief of our countrymen."
Purisima has come under fire for allegedly ordering the January 25 Mamasapano operation that targeted Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and terror suspect Basit Usman.
Suspended SAF chief Getulio Napenas earlier confirmed it was Purisima who told him not to inform PNP OIC Leonardo Espina about the operation until it was already underway.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said a DNA sample taken from the target of the SAF commandos likely came from Marwan since it matched the DNA of Marwan's relative. —ABS-CBNnews.com