Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Senators taunted President Benigno Aquino III on Monday for his latest defense on the January 25 Mamasapano operation, saying there was nothing new with his statements passing the blame on others but himself.
“(There is) nothing new there. (Aquino) still says everybody’s fault but his own,” Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in a text message.
“After this, the people will despair of ever learning the whole truth,” Marcos added.
Aquino said over the weekend that his fault in the botched Mamasapano operation that left 44 elite policemen dead was that he trusted certain people, apparently referring to resigned Police Chief Director General Alan Purisima, and sacked Special Action Force head, Director Getulio Napeñas.
But Acting Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said, “The mistakes of Purisima and Napeñas are forgone conclusions as manifested by the President.”
“What we should focus on also is what transpired from 7am to 6pm? Why was there no help?” Sotto said in a separate text message, referring to that fateful day of January 25.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he has not yet read Aquino’s latest statements but said that based on what he heard, it was just an “amplification” of what he had already said about his knowledge in the operation.
Escudero though believe that in the coming days, the President will continue to issue statements to explain what really happened that time.
Asked if it was sufficient to satisfy those calling for Aquino to say sorry for the botched operation, the senator said: “Papunta na yata dun sa tingin ko. Pagkakataon na lang siguro para mapakinggan sya ng ating mga kababayan. Sana huwag isara ng ating kababayan yung kanilang isip kaugnay sa mga salitang binibitiwan or bibitiwan ni Pangulong Aquino.”
Escudero, an administration ally, is chairman of the Senate committee on finance, one of three committees that investigated the Mamasapano operation.
He reiterated that an apology should be given voluntarily and should not be imposed on anyone.
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