Purisima to PNoy: SAF were supported even before AFP troops took off

Resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima had informed President Benigno Aquino III on the morning of the Mamasapano clash that the PNP-Special Action Force commandos were "supported" by military troops, despite information from Armed Forces top officials that their men could not get inside because the area was marshy.

 

The text messages, which Purisima read at the Senate hearing on Monday, revealed that he told the President in an exchange past 7:36 a.m. of January 25 that, "The containment forces are the ones in contact right now. They are supported by mechanized and artillery support, sir."

Purisima said he texted the President based on the information he got from Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero. 

 

But during the same hearing, Guerrero said his text message to Purisima, which he clarified was sent on 8:03 a.m., was only to inform Purisima of the support available on the ground.

 

"My intent was to tell him these are the available sources on the ground... Hindi ko sinasabing pumuputok na 'yung artillery at nandoon na 'yung mga tangke. Ito 'yung available sa area kasi ngayon lang kayo nagsabi," Guerrero said.

Source:
www.gmanetwork.com