SAF widow raises more questions after Day 1 of Mamasapano probe

Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Julie Cayang-o said she “deviated from their cultural norms” just to personally hear the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano incident that killed her husband PO1 Gringo Cayang-o.

When one of their family members dies, the Cayang-o family from Bontoc, Mt. Province would normally stay at their homes and hole up for a month as their way of mourning.

But the bereft wife of the slain Special Action Force trooper said she decided to go to Manila and attend the hearing only to find out that “officials are always blaming each other.”

“Binali ko ang kultura namin para lang marinig namin ang mga sasabihin ng mga matataas nating opisyal. Nasa kultura talaga namin na hindi lalabas ng bahay habang nagluluksa,” she said in an interview after the hearing on Monday.

After hearing the testimonies of resource persons from the military and police at the Senate grilling Monday, Mrs. Cayang-o said she was not satisfied.

“They are all passing the blame to one another. But at least we personally heard them. We always rely on media reports. And I just discovered that the operation wasn’t planned out well that’s why the tragedy happened,” she said in Filipino.

“We also want to hear from Purisima (former Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima),” she added.

Mrs. Cayang-o, who was wearing a black shirt bearing the words: “Justice for SAF 44,” said she found it “strange” that Purisima had to resign at the height of the controversy.

“Why does he have to resign now? Why not right after his suspension? Why now? Because he’s guilty?” she pointed out.

Purisima, despite his suspension as PNP chief in December last year, allegedly gave orders before and during the execution of Operation Exodus that killed 44 elite SAF troopers.

But at the Senate inquiry, he clarified that he only gave some pieces of advice.

PO2 Gringo and Julie have two kids aged 5 and 2. Julie said they were promised a scholarship until college by the government.

Aside from the scholarship, Mrs. Cayang-o said she received monetary benefits from the Office of the President and a senator worth P300,000 and P200,000, respectively.