President Benigno Aquino III. Screengrab from RTVM
MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday asked the public not to lose sight of the country’s efforts for peace amid the recent incidents of violence in Mindanao.
He warned against the people giving into rage, especially after the spread of a viral video of the bloody Mamasapano clash.
“Obligasyon ng bawat isa ang itaguyod ang kapayapaan (It is everyone’s obligation to uphold peace),” Aquino said during a mass commemorating the 29th anniversary of the Edsa People Power.
“Sa harap ng mga video na nagpapakita ng karahasan, sa harap ng galit na maaaring mamuo sa ating mga puso, kailangan nating ipaalala: Mas makapangyarihan pa rin ang tiwala, ang malasakit, ang pag-ibig, ang kapayapaan,” he said.
(Amid the spread of a video showing violence, the anger in our hearts, we need to be reminded: trust, concern, love and peace are still more powerful.)
Ninoy’s photo
Aquino recalled that a particular photo of his slain father, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., had always reminded him of the hardship that his family experienced during the martial law.
It was a photograph of a bloodied and lifeless Ninoy on a stretcher.
Aquino said he could no longer recognize his father. “Para siyang karneng ibinagsak sa tarmac, at ibinalibag sa Avsecom van (He was like a piece of meat left at the tarmac, and heaved unto the Avsecom van),” he said.
The President said he wanted to seek revenge for the assassination of his father.
However, it was the People Power Uprising that convinced him to rethink his plans.
“Nag-iba po ang aking pananaw nang masilayan ko ang libo-libong taong nanindigan at nakiramay sa labas ng aming tahanan sa Times Street (My views changed when I saw the thousands of people who stood up against the dictatorship and commiserated with us outside our home in Times Street),” he said. “Hindi kami nag-iisa (We are not alone).”
Aquino said he mentioned the death of his father not to get sympathy but to emphasize the power of “concern (malasakit)” or caring for others.
It can be recalled that the President gave a similar speech during the necrological services of the 44 policemen who died in Mamasapano. While he tried to console the families of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers, the relatives were not satisfied with his speech, which lengthily delved on how he coped with the death of Ninoy.
Ninoy’s death is believed to be one of the events that spurred the uprising, which eventually catapulted Corazon Aquino to the presidency.
No other chance
Aquino said Filipinos should not lose the chance to ensure lasting peace in Mindanao.
Recalling the peace negotiations with the MILF, he said “trust” should be the prevailing principle at this time.
He said MILF leaders have expressed their support and confidence despite threats against the peace process because of the so-called “misencounter” during a SAF mission against international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.
“Ginintuan ngang maituturing ang pagkakataong ito, kung kailan abot-kamay na ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Sa mga nagsasabi na ihinto na ang peace process, at ang pagpapasa ng Bangsamoro Basic Law, ang tanong natin: Paano nila masisigurado na magkakaroon ulit ng ganitong oportunidad?” he explained.
(This opportunity should be considered golden, now that peace is just at arm’s length. To those saying that the peace process and the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law should not push through: this is our question: How can you be sure that we will have another opportunity like this.)
Aquino said what happened to the SAF troopers is truly hurtful but it should not be a reason to pursue an all-out war against the MILF.
“Nagsakripisyo sila para makamit ang kapayapaan, di naman po makatwiran na ang kanilang inalay para sa kapayapaan ay maging mitsa pa ng karahasan,” he said.
(They sacrificed their lives for peace, it is not just that their sacrifice for peace will cause violence.)