Palace: Aquino keeps remarks down to avoid swaying Mamasapano probe

MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III is minimizing his statements on the Mamasapano operation that killed 44 elite cops so it wouldn’t seem that he is trying to influence the investigation, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Dahil kung sa ngayon ay magsasalita ang Pangulo, baka may magsasabi naman diyan na nagkakaroon ng undue influence doon sa sasabihin ng mga hinihilingan ng testimonya. Kaya hihintayin muna ‘yung paglalahad ng kumpletong salaysay at sa takdang panahon, as appropriate, he will express his position on these matters,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

(Because if the President speaks now, some people might say that there is undue influence over those who are asked to give testimonies. That is why we want to wait for the complete statements and at an appropriate time, he will express his position on these matters.)

Coloma said Aquino has been able to keep his composure despite receiving negative comments for his handling of the Mamasapano clash and its aftermath.

Asked how Aquino is facing the criticisms, Coloma said, “Well, with equanimity and with objectivity dahil sinabi nga niya doon sa kanyang talumpati noong Biyernes, bilang Ama ng Bayan ay hindi dapat pairalin ‘yung galit o ‘yung emosyon dahil kailangang malaman ang buong katotohanan dahil ito ang magiging daan sa paggawad ng katarungan.”

(Well, with equanimity and with objectivity because he said in his speech last Friday, as father of the nation, he cannot let anger or emotion get a hold of him because the whole truth must be found out to pave the way for justice.)

Coloma said the President continues to accomplish his tasks, as well as listen to groups of people–including members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF)–who are able to contribute vital information on the matter.

Aquino has been receiving flak not only for his absence at the arrival honors for the 44 PNP-SAF members killed in a so-called “misencounter” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) but also for supposedly being aware of their dangerous operation against terrorists holed up in Mamasapano town.

The 44 troopers were part of the 392-strong SAF group that attempted to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir (alias Marwan) in an area held by both the MILF, which has an ongoing peace deal with the Philippine government, and the BIFF.

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