PNoy to critics: Stop sowing discord between AFP, PNP

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday called on his critics to stop sowing discord between the military and the police following the deadly January 25 Mamasapano clash.

In a speech, Aquino used the Presidential Security Group (PSG), which commemorated its 29th founding anniversary on Tuesday, to exemplify unity between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) .

“Ngayon ngang may naglalayong buwagin ang matibay na samahan ng ating AFP at PNP, iisa lang ang tugon ko sa mga nagtatanim ng intriga at negatibismo: Tingnan ninyo ang PSG,”Aquino said during PSG’s anniversary event.

“Tingnan ninyo ang dedikasyon ng mga sundalo at pulis na nag-aambagan upang makamit natin ang ating inaasam-asam bilang isang bansa. Tingnan ninyo ang mga kasama kong nagmamalasakit sa bayan,” he added.

The PSG, the lead agency tasked to secure the country’s presidents, is composed of both AFP and PNP officers.

Aquino further encouraged the military and the police to continue showing professionalism in their jobs.

During Senate hearings over the past weeks, AFP and PNP officials gave conflicting accounts of Mamasapano operation, which left over 60 people killed including 44 police commandos.

For instance, former PNP Special Action Force (SAF) chief Director Getulio Napeñas faulted the AFP for not immediately providing artillery support during the mission.

AFP officials, however, maintained that they did everything to help the SAF troopers deployed during the Mamasapano operation, but were constrained by the elite police force’s lack of coordination with them. [http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/442046/news/nation/emotional-army-exec-to-ex-saf-chief-we-did-everything-to-help-your-men]

Fabricated criticisms

In the same speech, Aquino also lamented how individuals “who lack attention” come up with supposedly fabricated criticisms.

“Sa akin nga po binabagsak ang problema, malaki man ito o maliit. Siyempre, sinasabayan din ito ng pinakamatitinding batikos, lalo na ang mga kathang-isip mula sa mga kulang sa pansin,” he said.

Aquino also pointed out that he has tremendous responsibilities as President.

“Para kang pinanonood ng 200 channel ng telebisyon, sabay-sabay. Kailangan kong tunghayan at bantayan ang lahat ng nangyayari sa bawat panig ng ating bansa,” he said.

“Anumang tensiyon, kaguluhan, o trahedya sa ibayong dagat at sa loob ng ating teritoryo, kailangan kong tutukan. Kailangan alam ko ang nagaganap at magaganap pa, dahil sa bawat sandali ay kapakanan ng ating mga Boss ang nakataya,” Aquino added.

Despite criticisms, Aquino nevertheless said that he is determined to continue pushing for his reform agenda. —KBK, GMA News