‘The people need to see Aquino share in their anguish’

President Benigno Aquno III. AP file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Amid the continuous criticisms being hurled against President Benigno Aquino III, a Philippine Red Cross (PRC) governor said that he does not have to resign, but just be sincere in searching for justice and dealing with the victims of the Mamasapano carnage.

“He doesn’t need to step down. I believe na what people want to hear from him is yung pag-demand ng justice before peace.” said Rachel Arenas in an interview in Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Thursday.

“The people need to see and hear that the President shares their anger and grief,” she added.

Different quarters have asked for Aquino to resign, while Senator Antonio Trillanes IV bared on Thursday the plan of different sectors to take advantage of the situation to oust the President.

Aquino initially received flak when a newspaper came out with a report that he had authorized suspended Philippine National Police chief Gen. Alan Purisima to head the mission to arrest wanted terrorists in Mamasapano, a known lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He was also criticized for choosing to attend the inauguration of a car plant in Laguna instead of the arrival rites for the bodies of the slain Special Action Force (SAF) men.

During the necrological services Friday, Aquino, however spent 13 hours sympathizing with the families of the fallen SAF 44. Paolo Acabado

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