Aquino draws heavy fire

Sen. Nancy Binay said Aquino should take responsibility for the fiasco.

“Maybe, in a way, because if you follow the line of command, he’s the one on top, at the very top,” Binay said.

She said the No. 1 question was why Purisima had a role in the Mamasapano operation.

Senators’ take

Sen. Francis Escudero said he did not think the President was able to answer the people’s questions on Monday.

“He has not been able to show the public that he was hurt by what befell the 44 policemen and that those who killed the policemen would be made to account while seeking peace with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front),” Escudero said.

Sen. JV Ejercito said it was impossible that the President was fooled about the police operations against Marwan and Usman.

Ejercito pointed out that on that fateful day, Aquino was in Zamboanga City the entire day with his top police and military officials, and could have easily asked information from them.

“If you were the Commander in Chief why would you rely on one person if you have the luxury of getting access and information from all top officials with you the whole day? So, it’s hard to believe that,” the senator said.

Be more sensitive

Ejercito said he hoped Aquino “shapes up, be more sensitive… listen more” and just tell the truth.

“What probably people are waiting for the President, as Commander in Chief, [is] to assume responsibility because he knew (the operations) from the start, and probably apologize for the debacle to the families of the SAF 44, to the nation in grief,” he said.

Ejercito asked the President to show more empathy and sincerity.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the President blaming Napeñas was sowing confusion because there would be a need to look into what these supposed lies from Napeñas were.