PNP: No heated exchange between PNoy, SAF families
MANILA, Philippines - There was no tense moment when President Benigno Aquino III paid a surprise visit to the families of the slain Special Action Force commandos at Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.
In a televised press briefing, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said Aquino's second meeting with the relatives of the slain SAF troopers on Wednesday night turned into an open forum but there was no heated exchange.
LOOK: Aquino's makes surprise visit to SAF families
"Naging malaya 'yung tanungan at 'yung pagbibigay ng sagot pero wala pong masasabi na dumating sa punto na maka-categorize natin na confrontation," Cerbo said.
Cerbo, who was in the meeting, claimed that the SAF families never raised their voices.
He also denied that Aquino was irritated by the repeated questions of the families, saying the President wanted to have a "heart-to-heart" conversation with each of them to know their concerns.
"Ibig sabihin, handa siyang makiharap at malaman first-hand from the families ano ba 'yung problema ng bawat isa," Cerbo said.
"To say na may napikon o may nagalit, mukhang hindi. Hindi pwedeng mangyari 'yon," he added.
Another newspaper reported today that Aquino was irked by the families' repeated questions and blurted out: "Anong gusto ninyo, kunan namin ng fingerprints ang lahat ng MILF?"
Aquino's remark reportedly offended the families who are not satisfied with the slow pace of the government probe on the botched January 25 SAF operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Malacañang said Aquino met with the families again to personally check the status of the government assistance being provided to them.
Accompanied by several Cabinet officials, Aquino spent six hours with the relatives of the slain cops.
The families were at the PNP headquarters for the event "PNP Welfare Services for the Beneficiaries of SAF 44."
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