Defiant Aquino at PSG rites: ‘I have courage,’ ‘I’m doing what is right’

MANILA, Philippines – A defiant President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday hit back at critics demanding his accountability over the death of 44 police commandos, describing them as “attention-seekers.”

The President unburdened himself during the 29th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), citing the “most intense criticism especially fabrications from attention-seekers.”

“I have courage because I’m doing what is right, and if I have shortcomings, God will take care of them, including my security,” he said in a speech in Filipino.

“Attention-seekers” (kulang sa pansin) have been a recurring theme of his public addresses lately in the face of growing public outrage over his refusal to acknowledge his own purported lapses that led to the killing of 44 Special Action Force commandos last Jan. 25.

The President has been silent on why he put then Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima in the Mamasapano operation even if Purisima had been suspended by the Ombudsman. Aquino earlier claimed that Purisima’s involvement ended when he began serving the suspension order.

But text messages later made public showed that Aquino was getting his updates on the ill-fated operation from the suspended Purisima, not from the official PNP chain of command.

Last Monday, the President zeroed in on Director Getulio Napeñas, claiming he was “fooled” by the former SAF commander on the Mamasapano operation.

In his PSG speech, Aquino claimed there were people out to destroy the strong bond between the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP.”

In Senate hearings on the Mamasapano fiasco, Napeñas and AFP officials traded blame on why the military failed to provide timely and adequate reinforcement for the SAF troopers.

“I have only one response to those trying to sow intrigue and negativism: look at the PSG, look at the dedication of the soldiers and policemen helping one another to achieve our goals as one nation. Look at my companions who care for the nation,” he said.