PNoy on equal footing with commandos during dialog, SAF chief claims

The "no holds barred" dialogue between Special Action Force officers and President Benigno Aquino III lasted some three hours with both sides "on equal footing" and free to air their grievances and ask questions, the new acting director of the elite police said Friday.

 

In a phone interview with Unang Balita, Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo said Aquino told the attending SAF commandosthat they would "be all co-equals" in the meeting, "so you [could] ask your questions."

Lazo also denied that there was shouting involved during the meeting.

 

"Wala pong katotohanan 'yon," he said. "Bago po magsimula 'yung dayalogo, sinabi po ni Presidente sa lahat ng attendees doon na, 'Let's place ourselves on equal footing -- kalimutan natin na ako ang presidente niyo, kalimutan ko rin na kayo ay mga pulis ng PNP. We will all be co-equals dito, so you can ask your questions.'"

 

 

He added: "Kung sa una po [nilang] pag-uusap, tahimik po [ang mga commando], dito po ay nagsalita ang mga tauhan ng PNP Special Action Force. And most of the talking, the questions were done by the officers... Kaya nga po nagtagal nang gano'n, tatlong oras mahigit, dahil po sa mga katanungan. Free-rolling 'yung dialogue. Tumigil lang nu'ng wala nang nagtatanong, naubos ang katanungan."

 

The dialogue on Wednesday happened prior to Lazo's installment as the new head of the SAF. Since it was extended from the scheduled 30 minutes to over three hours, it pushed back the program, with the President skipping a formal speech. 
 

Lazo earlier said that questions during the dialogue mainly centered on why reinforcements from the military failed to arrive in time to save the SAF officers engaged in a firefight with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25. 

 

He added that Aquino explained to the troopers his knowledge on the operation but also insisted that they wait for the results of the PNP Board of Inquiry's investigation into the incident.

 

In the Unang Balita interview, the new SAF chief said an officer brought up why they weren't told that they did a good job, as the operation was deemed successful since they were able to neutralize wanted international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

 

"May isang nagtanong po na kasamahan namin na wala man lang nagsabi sa amin na we did a good job. Kinlaro naman po ng ating pangulo na, 'Hindi, no question, you did your job, you accomplished the mission.' Pero mas maganda sana kung walang namatay. O kung hindi naiwasan, nabawasan man lang," he recalled. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/NB, GMA News