People to Aquino: Mamasapano explanation ‘not enough’

MANILA, Philippines – Almost four out of five or 79 percent of Filipinos said they found the government’s explanation on the Mamasapano debacle insufficient, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed.

Pulse Asia, in a media release, said the “view is shared by big majorities in every geographic area and socio-economic grouping.”

Only 10 percent said the explanation was enough while 11 percent said they “can’t say” or are undecided.

Of the 1,200 respondents, almost all or 99 percent were aware of the encounter in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao last January 25, which left 44 policemen, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and five civilians dead.

The survey, conducted from March 1 to 7, also showed that 79 percent disagreed with President Benigno Aquino III’s decision not to attend the arrival honors for the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers killed during the operation.

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