Palace: PNP mass leave won't honor slain cops' sacrifice

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday discouraged policemen from going on a mass leave of absence following the killing of 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said a mass leave among policemen in the field will be a dishonor to the sacrifice of their fallen comrades.

"Wag naman nating tawaran ang kanilang pagsasakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng paglilihis ng atensyon doon sa mga mas mahalagang pagtuunan ng pansin," Coloma said in a press briefing.

"Nananalig kami na sila ay gagamit ng tuwiran at tamang pagninilay," he added.

Reports said the Philippine National Police Academy alumni association had threatened the government that it would urge its 4,000 graduates in the field to take a vacation leave if justice would not be served for the slain SAF troopers.

But as the nation mourns and seeks justice for the death of the commandos, Coloma said Filipinos should just be focused on the fight against terrorism and the campaign for a lasting peace in Mindanao.

"Ang dapat na maging focus po natin bilang isang bansa sa kasalukuyang pagkakataon ay kung paano po tayo maaaring magkaisa at magkabuklod-buklod dahil kailangan ito upang maipagwagi ang laban o kampanya sa terorismo at maipagtagumpay din ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan," Coloma said.

The Palace also issued the same appeal to lawmakers who are eyeing an impeachment complaint against Aquino over the Mamasapano carnage.

"Sana po 'yung mga halal na kinatawan ng ating bayan, ilalagay din sa kanilang isipan at damdamin kung ano ang mas mahahalagang prayoridad ng ating bansa," Coloma said.

The slain PNP-SAF troopers were supposed to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkipli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino Basit Usman, both bomb experts linked to the Jemaah Islamiya terror group.

The operation, however, led to a deadly "misencounter" with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The retreating SAF men were also engaged by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.