President’s sister Kris Aquino visits slain SAF men’s wake

(Updated 7:36 a.m.) Hours before President Benigno Aquino III is to pay his respects to more than 40 Special Action Force police personnel killed in a brutal firefight in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last weekend, presidential sister Kris Aquino showed up at the wake.

 

Before dawn Friday, Kris went to the wake in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where she paid respects to the fallen men, GMA News' Vonne Aquino reported.

 

A photo posted on Twitter by GMA's Aquino showed Kris talking with some SAF personnel and kin of the victims.

PHOTO: Presidential sister Kris Aquino at SAF wake. | via @vonneaquino #TruthForTheFallen44 pic.twitter.com/97SqGP8lGF

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 29, 2015

 

Kris said she also lost a loved one in a violent way and offered sympathy and prayers. 

Kris Aquino: nawalan din ako ng mahal sa buhay sa isang marahas na paraan at ipinaabot ko lang yung simpatya at pagdarasal.

— Vonne Aquino (@vonneaquino) January 29, 2015

 

She referred to her father, the late former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., who was brutally gunned down at the Manila International Airport in 1983.

 

Her father's death triggered protests that eventually led to the 1986 EDSA Revolution that ousted then strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

 

"(W)e have so much respect for the sacrifice na binigay ng mahal nila sa buhay at 'yun lang, 'yun lang ang dahilan," Kris said.

Kris Aquino on SAF wake visit: we have so much respect for the sacrifice na binigay ng mahal nila sa buhay at yun lang yun lang ang dahilan.

— Vonne Aquino (@vonneaquino) January 29, 2015

 

Her brother, President Benigno Aquino III, had been criticized for not showing up at the arrival of the slain SAF men's remains on Thursday.

 

GMA News' Aquino also cited sources who said Kris talked to the families of the slain SAF members.

 

‘Damage control’

 

But some netizens took to Twitter to question the motive behind Kris' visit, some calling it damage control.

@gmanews what for? Damage control or damage doubled? #NasaanAngPangulo

— b r e n (@thismommyruns) January 29, 2015

 

Another said it did not answer the question of where President Aquino was when he was most needed.

@gmanews @vonneaquino ibig sabihin siya ang substitution ni pnoy? #pathetic #fallenSAF

— Vin Cee (@tsinelas_cool) January 29, 2015

 

The remains of the SAF men were brought to Camp Bagong Diwa before midnight.

EARLIER: Mga labi ng mga miyembro ng SAF, isa-isang ipinasok sa multipurpose hall sa Camp Bagong Diwa | @vonneaquino pic.twitter.com/3DMVJEEaoC

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 29, 2015

 

Metro Manila police chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said the public viewing of the remains would be until 2:30 a.m. Friday, radio dzBB's Luisito Santos reported.

Public viewing sa mga labi ng 42 SAF hanggang 2:30 AM, ayon kay NCRPO Dir. Carmelo Valmoria. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/fhrjY7eG05

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 29, 2015

 — Joel Locsin/ELR/KG, GMA News