PHOTO BY JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS
MANILA, Philippines–One and loyal.
Walking with their arms linked, 600 police and military personnel marched on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue to show the unity between the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines amid the blame game on the Mamasapano incident.
Proving that coup attempts are far-fetched, 300 police and 300 military men and women showed their loyalty to President Benigno Aquino III as the nation celebrated the 29th year of the Edsa people power revolution.
The symbolic walk for unity was a reenactment of the historic meeting of then Philippine Constabulary chief Fidel Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile signaling the start of uprising against dictator president Ferdinand Marcos.
Around 9:30 a.m., policemen started to walk toward Camp Aguinaldo’s Gate 2 from Camp Crame. After converging at the AFP headquarters, they walked in unison to the People Power monument along White Plains Avenue.
The once “vibrant” relationship of the PNP and AFP was marred after the bungled operation against a Malaysian terrorist that killed 44 Special Action Force troopers.
Top police and military generals have been exchanging blame in Senate and congressional hearings when it was discovered that the AFP and PNP had poor coordination prior to the Mamasapano operation.
The PNP decries the refusal of the military to send reinforcements and artillery support as its men were pinned down in the gunfight with Moro rebels.
According to PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the lack of coordination had affected the execution of the mission.
As the uniformed men arrived at the monument, they were welcomed by the President, cabinet officials, AFP chief of staff Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and Espina.
The unity walk was led by SAF officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, PNP Police Community Relations Group head Chief Superintendent Nestor Quinsay and other military officials.
After their arrival, Aquino laid a yellow wreath before the monument and offered a minute of silence and prayer.
Among the attendees were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman.