CONVERSATION: #PNPcrisis: What should Aquino do?

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – For the second time, President Benigno Aquino III will address the nation after the bloody operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that killed 44 elite cops on January 25.

The national address on Friday night, February 6, is expected to address questions about the fate of Aquino’s close friend, Director General Alan Purisima.

The suspended top cop reportedly gave the go-signal for the operation of the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) aimed at two high-value targets, top terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, better known as “Marwan”, and Filipino Jemaah Islamiya commander Abdul Basit Usman.

Suspended in December 2014 and facing graft charges, Purisima is under fire for ordering the operation to be kept secret from other concerned authorities, until it was too late. (READ: Resigned? Relieved? The Purisima dilemma)

Aquino admitted when he first addressed the nation on January 28 that he discussed the operation with Purisima, but only to “understand the jargon.” He denied Purisima commanded the operation, even after his suspension.

What will Purisima’s fate be? How should the President deal with the crisis in the country’s police force? What lingering questions would you like Aquino to address?

Using the hashtag #PNPcrisis, join the conversation to be moderated by @VoltaireTupaz.

On board the @MovePH Twitter account is @RaiMarielle to get your questions and views.  – Rappler.com

Editor’s note: Read and continue the conversation if you missed it: ‘Who is the new PNP chief?’ and other unanswered questions)