Former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. AP FILE PHOTO
Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II revealed on Wednesday that he offered his resignation as Interior secretary following the bloody Mamasapano operation which killed at least 60 people, including 44 elite police commandos of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).
Roxas shared the information during a presidential forum with businessmen in Makati City.
He said that he offered to resign from his post on two occasions.
“Well, I did resign. I did offer my resignation, at least, on two occasions. President Aquino was surprised when I did that. Then I said. ‘Well, you know, if you have no more confidence in me–‘ [He said] ‘No, no. I thought that you knew. And, in fact, I ordered them to tell you no.'” Roxas said.
He said that what hurt him about the operation was not the fact that he was bypassed but the fact that 44 policemen died.
READ: Roxas says he wasn’t told in advance of Mamasapano raid
“You know what’s the hardest thing for me to take from Mamasapano? It’s not the snub. I don’t see it as a snub. The snub is about me eh. It’s like, it’s not that. It’s that 44 guys who fought for our flag went in an operation that– where they lost their lives. And it could have been prevented had there been their coordination,” Roxas said.
When pressed by reporters after the forum whether he offered his resignation through a letter or through verbal means, Roxas did not provide any further details.
Instead, he said that the main reason why he met with businessmen was to present his plans for the country’s economy.
“Nandito tayo para pagusapan yung ekonomiya, yung pagpapalago ng ekonomiya; napakahalaga na we can maintain yung ating pagiging world-standard,” Roxas said.
On the campaign trail, the issue of Mamasapano still hounds Roxas.
READ: Roxas clears Aquino, blames Purisima for Mamasapano debacle
During the second presidential debate in Cebu last March 20, Senator Grace Poe asked Roxas if his supposed lackluster performance in the Aquino Cabinet was the reason why he was kept in the dark in the planning and execution of the Mamasapano operation. Roxas maintained then that he was bypassed. JE
READ: Roxas on Mamasapano probe: ‘I have nothing to hide’