Aquino to respond to calls for ‘decisive leadership’ – Palace

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III will not disappoint a group of lawmakers’ call for him to step up and show “decisive leadership” over the Mamasapano incident.

Various sectors urged Aquino to explain his role in the police anti-terror mission that ended in disaster and left 44 members of the Special Action Force dead.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. issued the statement in reaction to calls from former soldiers and police generals turned lawmakers for the President to show “decisive leadership” to end the bickering between the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines and to forge police-military unity.

“Nagbigay ng commitment si Pangulong Aquino sa bansa sa kanyang sunud-sunod na talumpati hinggil sa paggawad ng katarungan, hinggil sa pagbatid sa buong katotohanan,” Coloma said.

The lawmakers who called themselves the “Saturday Group” made the challenge to Aquino.

Speculations were rife that Aquino knew of the operation early on and was in fact monitoring it.

“We call on the President to step up and show decisive leadership befitting the father of one nation and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police by directing them to unite against a common enemy. Bickering at this time is counterproductive,” according to the group composed of Representatives Ashley Acedillo and Gary Alejano of Magdalo, Leopoldo Bataoil of Pangasinan province, Romeo Acop of Antipolo and Samuel Pagdilao Jr. of ACT-CIS.

“There have been disturbing allegations of a cover-up yet the government has done so little to quell these allegations. The President, as Commander in Chief, must assume responsibility over the operations regardless of the outcome,” it added

The President was embroiled in controversy on allegations that he authorized then suspended police chief Alan Purisima to direct the operation. Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and then police officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina were kept in the dark about the operation.

The botched Mamasapano incident meant to take down two terrorists ended in a massacre of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) supposedly due to lack of coordination between the military and police.

Though Aquino has admitted accountability over the incident, he has denied giving a go-signal and has blamed sacked SAF commander Getulio Napeñas for failing to coordinate with authorities.

Coloma said the President’s high ratings are indication that Aquino remains committed to decisive leadership.

“Iyong decisive leadership ay siyempre mahalaga ‘yan para maging epektibo ang pamahalaan — ang anumang pamahalaan… (N)apanatili ni Pangulong Aquino ‘yung mataas na antas ng pagtitiwala ng mga mamamayan sa kanila at nais din naman niyang manatili ang paniniwalang ito kaya’t handa naman siyang gawin ang lahat ng nararapat para matamo ang layuning ito,” Coloma said.

Coloma said Aquino in his latest meeting with the families reiterated the administration’s commitment to seek justice for the slain cops.

“Inulit niya ito sa mga pamilya ng mga nasawing bayani ng SAF 44… Kaya malinaw naman na sa buong kaganapan na ito ay nandoon ‘yung paninindigan ng Pangulo hinggil sa pagkakaroon ng ganap na kaalaman ng buong bansa doon sa buong kaganapan sa Mamasapano at ‘yung paggawad ng katarungan sa mga nasawing bayani ng SAF 44,” Coloma said.