Aguirre: Bam Aquino not present in alleged meeting in Marawi

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Friday retracted his claim that Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV was present in the alleged meeting among opposition lawmakers and some political families weeks before the Maute group’s attack in Marawi City.

"He [Aquino] was not present in the alleged meeting of opposition leaders said to have been held in Marawi City on May 2, 2017," Aguirre said in a statement.

The justice chief said "upon further verification" he found out that Aquino went to Marawi on May 19 following an invitation from Lanao Del Sur Governor Soraya Alonto-Adiong to promote the Go Negosyo Program.

Aguirre came under fire over his revelation on Wednesday that Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Aquino, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and Ronald Llamas, political adviser of former President Benigno Aquino III, had a meeting with the Alonto and Lucman political families in Marawi on May 2.

The Cabinet official said the meeting could be part of moves to destabilize the Duterte administration and have sparked the terroristic attacks in the city.

As proof, Aguirre briefly showed to reporters during the press conference a photo of the meeting sent to him by an alleged asset.

While he did not allow the press to take snaps of the photo, reports said that Aguirre presented an image that was taken nearly two years ago.

"I did not give, release or send to anyone any picture of any Marawi meeting. The picture of an alleged meeting allegedly taken in 2015 did not [come] from me," Aguirre said.

Aquino, Trillanes, and Alejano have already denied that the meeting in Marawi occurred, and slammed Aguirre for spreading "fake news."

"These are easily verifiable for anyone who cares to find the truth. It would be prudent for Sec. Aguirre to clarify dates, seek evidence and request for official statements from legitimate government agencies before he makes yet another false accusation," the Aquino said.

Saying he was only misquoted by the media, Aguirre had apologized to the Alonto and Lucman families "for any confusion about the issue."

Aquino also claimed to have received an apology from Aguirre on Wednesday night.

The justice chief has yet to confirm Aquino's statement. —KG, GMA News