President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday held a dinner gathering with the families of the 44 fallen Special Action Force commandos who died in Mamasapano to commemorate the heroism of their loved ones.
The common question in the minds of the bereaved widows, fathers and families: "when will justice be served?" referring to the fallen 44.
John Aniban, father of Police Senior Inspector Cyrus Aniban, has specific questions that have not been answered two years after the death of his son.
"Why were these young men sent without explicit firepower support and reinforcement? Why was the operation not coordinated with the military, who had all the firepower when needed," Aniban asked.
"Why were the nearest SAF units, the 45th and the 42nd Special Action companies, who were less than a kilometer away from the embattled 55th special action company, did not reinforce despite the call for help of their dying comrades."
Aniban added that the previous administration's promises of livelihood and employment for the widows and siblings of the fallen commandos have not yet been fulfilled.
"The promise to employ the wives, the widows, the siblings of the SAF44, to some they may be lucky. But most of them, specially the widows, the siblings of those who died single were only employed on a contractual basis or what they say job order," Aniban said. "The housing assistance, unfortunately there are a lot of obstacles, requirements and until now is not actually given."
He also cited how ironic the media's portrayal was of the relatives of the SAF 44.
"Right after the death of the 44 SAF in 2015, the government was so busy with good media coverage talking about the benefits and assistance for the dependents, which was uncalled for," said Aniban. "In the following months, I read in an article, in a national daily written by well-known journalist, branding the families of the SAF-44 as 'spoiled' because of the amount of assistance given them by the government."
"Sad to say, this is not all true. All of these [are] not true," he pointed out.
Melanie Duque, widow of PO3 Andress Duque, meanwhile requested Duterte to grant the SAF commandos the medal of valor.
"Lahat naman po sila ay nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bansa," Duque said. "Dalawang taon na po ang nakakaraan pero wala pa pong pag usad ang kaso nila."
[Translation: All of them gave their lives for the country. It's been two years and there wasn't any development on their case.]
Other relatives of the SAF44 believe that Duterte can finally give them the elusive justice for their loved ones.
"Sir President, it is you who we believe can help us. It is you who we believe can give us the justice we are long seeking for the tragic death of our loved ones," Erika Pabalinas, widow of Police Chief inspector Ryan Pabalinas, told Duterte.
Guillermo Tria, Father of Poice Sr. Insp. Max Tria, was holding back his tears. who, after two years, still finds pain in his son's tragedy.
Duterte to Aquino: 'You fed them to lion's den'
President Duterte said he was "pissed off" by how former President Benigno Aquino III reacted after the encounter.
He said he was in a metting in Zamboanga when Aquino sat down with some Mindanao mayors, generals and former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas just after the SAF44 tragedy. Duterte, who was then Davao City's mayor, said he could not bear to stay in the meeting.
"I was really, sorry to say I'd be honest, and you can criticize me for this… I was really pissed off," Duterte said.
Duterte recalled asking Aquino to excuse himself from the meeting: "You know mister President, I will not characterize your behavior. But you have noticed that I just stood and I said mister President, medyo hilong-hilo pa ako sa byahe [I'm dizzy from the trip]. Can I have the indulgence to leave?"
Duterte, however, said that he left the meeting because he finds it unacceptable that Aquino was asking one general what he would have don in his place.
"Patay na lahat. Mabaho na nga e. Tapos sasabihin mo sa isang heneral, kung ikaw ang nagpunta roon, what would you have done?" [All the men were dead. The bodies already stink. Then here you are asking a general, if you were there, what would you have done?]
Duterte explained that owning up the responsibility is not enough and that Aquino could have done better by explaining what really happened.
"You said 'kasalanan ko iyon'. But it is not enough. Sabihin mo sa Pilipino, sabihin mo sa akin kung paano ka nagkasala?" [You said 'it's my fault.' But it is not enough. Tell me how you sinned?]," he added.
Duterte said he wants to put closure to the issue.
"Anong ginawa ninyo bakit [what did you do and why] you fed the soldiers to the lion’s den, to be eaten by death," Duterte told Aquino, saying his predecessor was so dependent on his PNP chief that Aquino was willing to turn a blind eye on the corruption allegations against PNP Chief Alan Purisima.
Seven-man commision to dig deeper
Duterte said he would create a seven-man commission to look into the results of the investigation made by the lower house, the Senate and the Office of the President - to answer the questions on what really happened on that fateful day, and to finally serve justice to the fallen police officers.
"I will appoint men of integrity and honor… If they will accept, maybe three justices of the Supreme Court, a few from the civilian sector, maybe a lawyer," Duterte said. "They will be independent in all aspects. They are free to summon."
He also directed PNP Chief "Bato" Dela Rosa to look into records of the 44 commandos to study if they are fitting for the valor award.
"The highest honor I can give them is to award them the medal of valor," Duterte said.
Duterte said he will also declare "a day of remembrance" for the SAF44.
Source: CNN Philippines
Share It To Your Friends!
Loading...