President Benigno Aquino III at Camp Crame. PHOTO by Frances Mangosing
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III paid an unexpected visit to families of fallen Special Action Force troops at camp Crame on Wednesday.
Aquino arrived before 6p.m., with some Cabinet officials also in attendance
Families of the victims are set to receive benefits from the private sector, private donors and the government.
Heads of the following agencies present to extend assistance were: National Police Commission; Commission on Higher Education; Department of Agriculture; Department of Education; Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Health; Department of Justice, Department of Justice; Department of Labor and Employment; Department of Public Works and Highways; Department of Social Welfare and Development; Department of Trade and Industry; National Housing Authority; Philippine Postal Corporation; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc; PNP retirement and Benefits Administration Service.
Other donors were:
Megaworld Corporation
Muntinlupa City
Civil Service Commission
Philippine Star
Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said that while this is a one-day activity, the assistance programs would continue.
“The President is finding out the status of assistance being given to SAF families, ensuring fulfillment of commitments made by concerned agencies,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said.
Aquino’s visit was not part of his schedule for the day. Officials at Camp Crame were also surprised by the visit.
This was the second time that Aquino met the families of the fallen police troops. The first time was during the necrological services for the slain troops at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
Aquino was heavily criticized for skipping the arrival honors of the fallen police officers at Villamor Airbase in Pasay and instead attended the inauguration of a car manufacturing plant in Laguna.
The botched raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao killed 44 police officers, 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and at least three civilians. It was the biggest loss of life in a police operation in recent memory.