Palace appeals to cops not to go on mass leave
MANILA, Philippines–Malacañang on Thursday appealed to the alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) not to push through with their proposed “mass leave” in protest to the Maguindanao carnage.
“Nauunawaan namin ‘yung mga emosyon at ‘yung mga ibang malalakas na damdamin o pananaw na sana ay sa pagpapahayag ng mga ito ay balansehin ‘yung pananaw at huwag lamang tumingin doon sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon (We understand their emotion and standpoint. But I hope they will try to balance it and not just look at the present situation),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
“Tingnan din naman ‘yung hinaharap at pinatutunguhan ng ating bansa, para maunawaan natin kung gaano kahalaga ‘yung pagkakaisa ng ating bansa sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon (Let’s also look at the future of our country to understand the importance of unity in the present situation),” he said.
The PNPA Alumni Association Inc. (PNPAAAI) on Wednesday said it would call on its 4,000 members to take a “mass leave” to protest the killing of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao.
While the government is still waiting for the result of the investigation, initial reports said it was a “misencounter” between the SAF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
PNPAAAI chairman retired General Tomas Rentoy III said they will ask PNP graduates to take a five-day vacation leave. However, he said it will be voluntary.
Of the 44 SAF members who died, seven were PNPA graduates.
Coloma said he hopes the policemen would take into consideration President Benigno Aquino III’s speech on Wednesday evening wherein he explained what the government knew so far about the incident.
“Nananalig kami na sila ay gagamit ng katuwiran at tamang pagninilay at nauunawaan nila ang kahalagahan ng kanilang paglilingkod sa bayan (We trust that they will contemplate and that they understand the importance of their service to the nation),” Coloma said.
In his speech, Aquino blamed the SAF director for not coordinating with the military. He also called on the MILF, which is pursuing a peace deal with his administration, to work with the government.
Aquino expressed sympathy for the families of the victims and declared a National Day of Mourning on January 30.
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