MANILA, Philippines–What about the feelings of the Armed Forces of the Philippines?
Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, turned emotional as he asked this to relieved head of the Special Action Force Police Director Getulio Napeñas.
The sacked SAF chief earlier blamed the AFP for not sending reinforcements as SAF troops were pinned down at the height of the Mamasapano gunfight.
The 6th ID has jurisdiction over Maguindanao.
“Paano naman ‘yung damdamin ng mga taong tumulong? Iyon po ang masakit sa akin. But just the same, thank you, sir, for at least recognizing that very little effort that you think is very little,” Pangilian said, his voice quivering.
(How about the feelings of those who helped? That’s what hurts me. But just the same, thank you, sir, for at least recognizing that very little effort that you think is very little.)
Before Pangilinan made an emotional statement, Napeñas acknowledged the AFP commanders for their “big help.”
But he made a turnaround and said the 44 slain men could have been saved had the AFP sent artillery support.
Senator Grace Poe then slammed Napeñas for his inconsistency, telling him not to thank the AFP if he would just blame them again afterwards.
Poe turned to Pangilinan and asked him to give his side.
Pangilinan said: “Your honor, Madam chair, unang-una nagpapasalamat kami. At least narecognize na rin kahit napakaliit at nabawasan ‘yung sakit na nararamdaman ko sa ngayon. Ang di ko naman matanggap, nagpasalamat pero just the same we are still blamed for the death at ‘yun po ang masakit sa akin.”
(Your honor, Madam chair, first and foremost, we are thankful. At least, our efforts have been minimally recognized and the pain I have been feeling have been assuaged. What I cannot accept is they are thanking us but still blaming us for the deaths (of the SAF 44), and that’s really painful for me.)
He turned emotional when he said: “Nagusap po tayo. Marami po akong isiniwalat sa inyo na hindi ko siniwalat sa una dahil ‘yan po ang guidelines ng aming secrectary of national defense, ng chief of staff, ng aking commander, na wag nang magdagdag pa ng lalo pang ikasusugat ng mga nasaktan naming tao. Pero paano naman yung damdamin namin?”
(We talked. I revealed several things to you that I didn’t before because that was the guidelines of our secretary of national defense, the chief of staff, and our commander—to make sure that we won’t add up to the pain our men are suffering. But what about our feelings?
“For me, all the efforts were given. All the efforts were done in order for you to be helped in spite of you not coordinating with us,” he added.
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First published on Feb. 24, 2015, 3:03 p.m.