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Pulse Asia: Majority of Pinoys disagree with PNoy’s absence during SAF 44’s arrival honors
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(Updated 3:49 p.m.) Majority of Filipinos disagreed with President Benigno Aquino III's decision not to attend the arrival honors for 44 police commandos killed during the January 25 Mamasapano operation, a Pulse Asia survey showed Thursday.
Seventy-nine percent of the 1,200 Filipino adults who participated in the survey earlier this month thought Aquino erred when he skipped the event, which saw the country's outpouring of emotions for the slain Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) officers.
The President instead chose to attend the inauguration of a car manufacting plant in Laguna.
Only 10 percent of the respondents agreed with Aquino's decision, while 11 percent were still undecided.
Ninety-one percent of Filipinos said they were aware of Aquino's absence during the SAF 44's arrival honors.
The Pulse Asia survey had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percent, and a 95-percent confidence level.
'PNoy understands'
At a press briefing in Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino is “aware of” and “understands” the public sentiment over his absence during the arrival honors for the fallen police commandos.
"Narinig na at nabatid na ng Pangulo itong saloobin na ito ng kanyang mga boss. Nauunawaan naman niya ito dahil nga ang buong bansa ay nakikipagdalamhati sa sinapit ng ating mga bayaning PNP SAF,” Coloma told reporters on Thursday afternoon.
"Nauunawaan iyan ng Pangulo bilang bahagi nga nitong malalim na emosyon ng buong bansa na ikinalulungkot at ikinagagalit ang pagkawala ng buhay ng ating mga PNP SAF trooper. Aware po ang ating Pangulo sa saloobing iyan ng ating mga mamamayan,” he added.
Last January 25, 44 police commandos were killed in a clash with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
The firefight erupted when the PNP-SAF troopers supposedly entered an MILF-controlled territory to arrest Malaysian terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Amin Baco alias Jihad, as well as Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman.
The clash, which happened despite a peace deal between the MILF and the Philippine government, also left 18 MILF fighters and at least five civilians dead.
Four days after the bloody incident, the remains of 42 slain SAF troopers were flown to the Villamor Air Base, where they were given arrival honors.
Although Cabinet officials were present during the event, Aquino was conspicuous absent. His absence was heavily criticized on social media, with the hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo even becoming a trending topic on Twitter.
Aquino’s deputy spokesperson, Usec. Abigail Valte, defended his absence, saying the President was not “originally scheduled” to attend the arrival honors.
The President attended the necrological service for the slain SAF troopers a day after his absence during the arrival honors. — RSJ, GMA News
