FILE PHOTOS: Exec Sec. Paquito Ochoa and suspended PNP Chief Alan Purisima (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang immediately defended Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas in the allegations that he requested President Aquino to fire executive secretary Paquito Ochoa at suspended Philippine National Police Chief General Alan Purisima.
According to press reports, Secretary Roxas went to Malacañang last February 3 where the President and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima was having a meeting and the DILG Secretary recommended to remove the two officials from their posts.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda denied such thing and that by 1 PM of February 3, the scheduled meeting between the President and Secretary Purisima where the alleged recommendation supposedly happened, did not push through.
E.S. Ochoa, as Chief of Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and PNP Chief General Purisima are the allegedly masterminds of the January 25 Mamasapano operation which caused the death of 44 SAF members.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communication Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma Jr. said the president is thoroughly considering whether a permanent PNP Chief must be appointed soon.
“I have heard that request before and it is part of the big picture that the President looks into in making his decision on these current events.” (Nel Maribojoc / UNTV News)