Rachel Sumbilla. PHOTO by Aries Joseph Hegina
MANILA, Philippines–The widow of an elite cop killed in Mamasapano hit President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday for being mum on the botched operation.
Rachel Sumbilla, the wife of the late PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla, believes that Aquino is being shielded from being held accountable on the Mamasapano incident which resulted in the death of 44 Special Action Force troopers.
“Personally, yes (na shine-shield si President) kasi hindi na siya nagsasalita eh. ‘Yung huli niyang sinabi ay parang inaako niya ‘yung kasalanan na ’til death, babaunin niya ang nangyari. Pero parang kulang,” Sumbilla said in an interview in the sidelines of the Makati City’s tribute on the fallen elite cops.
(Personally, yes (Aquino is being shielded from taking responsibility for the Mamasapano operation) because he is not talking now. The last thing he said was that he is going to carry the tragedy until death. But I think it was not enough.)
She also decried the slow response of the government in seeking justice for the slain elite cops.
“Mabilis na aksyon pa, kasi tulad ngayon, nalibing na at lahat. Masyado po kaming pinapahirapan,” Sumbilla added.
(We’re seeking swifter action (to the case) as the SAF men have been buried already. But we are still being burdened.)
The widow said that justice can only be attained if every official involved in the bloody operation will be punished, including Aquino.
“Kapag naparusahan ‘yung lahat ng nagpasimuno ng operation. Pati si President siguro kasi siya ‘yung commander-in-chief eh,” she said.
((We will attain justice only) if everyone involved in the operation will be punished, including the President because he is the commander-in-chief.)
At the end, Sumbilla made a tearful plea to the chief executive.
“Please coordinate with us, Mr. President,” she said.
During Wednesday’s special tribute, the Makati City government awarded P100,000 financial assistance to the relatives of the slain troopers.
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