Malacanang remains committed to pursue the fight against
terrorism and to push for lasting peace in Mindanao ,
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Hermnio Coloma
said Thursday.
In a briefing, Coloma said they will not dwell on the issues
being thrown against them, particularly the death of 44 members of the police’s
Special Action Force (SAF).
“Ang pokus po natin ngayon, katulad ng aking ipinarating, ay
‘yung kahalagahan na maipagwagi natin at maisulong natin ‘yung paglaban sa terorismo
at maipagpatuloy din ‘yung prosesong pangkapayapaan (Our focus now, like what I
already said, is the importance of winning against terrorism and to continue
the peace process,” he said.
Reports said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Alumni
Association has called on its members to go on a five-day mass leave while
mourning the death of SAF members, who were killed in a “misencouter” with the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao over the
weekend.
Coloma said he respects the PNP Alumni’s decision although
he stressed that he does not know if the group’s decision was made before or
after President Benigno Aquino III delivered his statement over national
television Wednesday night.
He stressed that whether or not the police force will heed
the call of its alumi depends on the policemen.
”Nananalig kami na sila ay gagamit ng katuwiran at tamang
pagninilay at nauunawaan nila ang kahalagahan ng kanilang paglilingkod sa bayan
(We believe that they will really think about it and that they understand the
importance of their service to the people), he said.
Coloma said it is understandable for people to feel bad
about what happened to the SAF members but he stressed that the govenrment
should remain focused on the bigger picture.
”Huwag naman nating tawaran ‘yung kanilang pagsasakripisyo
sa pamamagitan ng paglilihis ng atensyon doon sa mga mas mahalagang dapat
pagtuunan ng pansin, at ayon nga sa aking pahayag, dalawang bagay ‘yon: ‘yung
pagsulong ng paglaban sa terorismo at ‘yung pagkamit ng kapayapaang
pangmatagalan (Let’s not waste their (SAF members’) sacrifices by bringing the
attention away from the important things, which as I earlier said is to fight
terrorism and to achieve long-term peace),” he said.
Relatively, the Makabayan-bloc in the House of
Representatives said the death of SAF members may lead to another impeachment
case against the President.
Coloma said whether the case will be filed or not depends on
the lawmakers.
“Nasa kanila pong pagpapasya ‘yon kung sila ay nais ding
magsulong ng sarili nilang agenda (It’s upon their decision if they want to
push their own agenda),” he said.
Also, reports said former President Fidel V. Ramos urged
Aquino to have a definite stance on the issue of felled SAF members.
Coloma said they respect Ramos’ ideas noting that the former
President is among the leaders who is pushing for the peace talks in Mindanao .
Meawhile, the bodies of 42 SAF members who were killed in
the Maguindanao clash arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City
Coloma said the President was not able to go to the air base
because he has earlier commitments.
He, however, said that the President will lead the
necrological service for the fallen heroes at Camp Bagong Diwa on Friday,
January 30, which has been declared as National Day of Mourning.
In a statement, Coloma said members of the Cabinet and other
government officials will attend the mass along with the families of the slain
policemen and their colleagues.
The entire nation is requested to offer prayers and all
public institutions are directed to lower the Philippine flag in half-mast
tomorrow,” he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=730599
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