Palace says Aquino has always recognized SAF 44

Malacañang on Saturday said President Benigno Aquino III recognizes the 44 Special Action Force commandos killed in the Mamasapano operation last January 25.

 

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said this after Vice President Jejomar Binay released a statement saying the police force has been demoralized by the alleged last-minute withdrawal of SAF 44 members from a list of police personnel awarded by Aquino during the 114th police service anniversary on Friday.

 

"Nais po nating ipunto na sa marami nang pagkakataon ay kinilala ni Pangulong Aquino ang kabayanihan at ang kagitingan at katapangan ng atin pong SAF 44," he said. "Binigyan po sila ng kinauukulang pagkilala ng ating Pangulo noon pa po."

 

He also stressed that the Aquino administration has been helpful to the needs of the family of the SAF 44.

 

"Ginawa din po ng ating administrasyon ang lahat ng nararapat para agarang matugunan ‘yung mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga pamilya, ‘yung pagtugon sa kanilang pangangailangan ng kabuhayan, edukasyon para sa mga naulilang anak, paghahanap-buhay na permanente, pabahay, (at) iba pang tulong sa kabuhayan," he added.

 

"At patuloy pong itinataguyod ng pamahalaan ‘yung pagpapanagot sa mga responsable sa sinapit po ng SAF 44," he added.

 

Earlier in the day, Binay expressed sadness over the alleged removal of the names of SAF troopers Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron and Superintendent Raymund Train from the list of Medal of Valor awardees.

 

"Nakakalungkot naman 'yon," he said. "“Ano kayang dahilan? Eh si Colonel [Train] siya 'yong nag-lead. At tsaka siya yata 'yong nag-lead no'ng nakakuha 'nung daliri ba."

 

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas has denied that there was a last-minute withdrawal of the names of the SAF troopers.

 

“Nabasa ko yung report ng PNP at pino-process nila yung mga papeles, nais nilang ihabol but really the awards are for last year, for the 2014 acts of the PNP,” Roxas said in an interview after the turnover of firetrucks to local government officials held at Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna on Friday.

 

“They were trying to do their best na kahit 2015 nangyari ito, na naganap ang Mamasapano incident, triny na ihabol pero hindi naihabol,” he added. 

 

Coloma had said that Aquino did not have any hand in choosing the awardees.

 

“The Office of the President has no participation in the selection of police officers and individuals that were given recognition in connection with the 114th anniversary of the PNP,” he said.

 

Over 60 individuals, including 44 SAF commandos, were killed in a firefight involving members of the SAF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and private armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.

 

The National Bureau of Investigation recently charged more than 100 members of the MILF—with whom the Philippine government has signed a peace deal—and private armed groups over the killing of the elite policemen. —ALG, GMA News