(SILANG, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday (March 26) appealed for public understanding over the Mamasapano incident, maintaining that he was kept in the dark by people he trusted to carry out the January 25 operation.
In his message to the graduating class of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), the President said police officials involved in the operation made him believe that Oplan Exodus was well-planned and the police commandos on the ground would be able to implement it with ease.
Noting that it was the last time he would talk about the tragic incident, President Aquino explained that there was no urgency in the text messages he received on the morning of January 25, leading him to believe that the Special Action Force commandos had successfully carried out their mission.
“Kung nalaman ko ito agad, sa tingin n’yo ba, hindi ako gagawa ng paraan para tulungan ang ating hanay?” he said.
No word would ease the pain and misery felt by those who have lost loved ones in the Mamasapano clash, he said, adding that all he could do is to appeal for understanding from the Filipino public.
“Sa bawat Pilipinong nabigo at nasaktan dahil sa mga pangyayaring kaugnay ng operasyong ito: buong pagpapakumbaba kong hinihiling ang inyong pang-unawa,” the President said.
He said that that regardless of the anger he felt for the disregard for the orders he had given, he could never erase the fact that the 44 SAF members had perished.
“Dadalhin ko—at uulitin ko po—dadalhin ko ang katotohanang ito hanggang sa aking mismong libingan,” he said.
As President, he said, he is fully responsible for any result—any triumph, any suffering, and any tragedy—that may be borne of his desire for lasting security and peace.
He also addressed accusations of insensitivity.
“Ikinalulungkot kong sa pagnanais kong bigyan ng espasyong magluksa ang mga makakakita, sa unang pagkakataon, ng nasawi nilang kaanak, ay may mga nag-isip na ako’y manhid at walang pakikiramay. Ang intensiyon ko noon ay makatulong sa paghilom,” he said.
The President also regretted that the Mamasapano incident has affected the peace process in Mindanao.
The President admitted that he is not without limitations.
“Opo, ako ang Pangulo, pero tao rin ako. Hindi ko kayang basahin ang iniisip ng bawat kausap ko, at hindi ko kayang mabantayan ang lahat sa lahat ng panahon,” he said.
He said it is his responsibility to ensure the welfare of 100 million Filipinos here and abroad and he cannot respond to their needs at all times.
The President however vowed to do what he can to protect the interest of every Filipino.
“Pero gaya po ng aking panata, patuloy kong gagawin ang tama at makatuwiran. Patuloy kong gagawin ang lahat ng aking makakaya upang paglingkuran ang lahat, at maging totoo sa aking sinumpaang tungkulin,” he said.
The President also pledged to respect due process and hold those responsible to account.
“Responsibilidad ko na itama ang mali kapag nadiskubre ang mga ito. Kaya sinisiguro ko po sa inyo: Nirerespeto natin ang tamang proseso. Mananagot ang dapat managot,” he said.
The Mamasapano clash killed 44 SAF commandos, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants as well as several civilians.
The SAF commandos were on a mission to capture or neutralize Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and local terrorist Abdul Basit Usman.
However, as they were retreating, the police commandos clashed with the MILF, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and other armed groups, resulting in a huge number of casualties on the government’s side. PND (as)
