Bongbong: Noy should apologize to SAF kin

LUNA, La Union, Philippines  – Told to apologize for the abuses of his father’s martial law regime, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said President Aquino should apologize to the families of 44 slain police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.

Malacañang brushed aside the suggestion.

“The ultimate blame lies with the President,” Marcos said yesterday. “If that is the case, the conclusion that we come to is that the President will not only apologize but to give all the demands, all those that they have promised to the surviving families and file charges against those involved in the massacre,” he said.

Marcos said Aquino must give the so-called SAF 44 all the benefits due them as they are remembered during All Saints’ Day.

The only son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos visited here yesterday morning the tomb of Police Officer 3 Omar Nacionales, one of the slain SAF 44, and met with his family and relatives. Nacionales hailed from Marcos, Ilocos Norte but grew up with his relatives in Barangay Sto. Domingo Sur here.

Malacañang sees no need for President Aquino to apologize to the families of the 44 members of the SAF.

Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the previous statements of Aquino on the issue are enough.

He was referring to the President’s televised address last February where Aquino stated: “I will carry this (Mamasapano incident) with me till the end of my days.”

Contrary to Marcos’ claims, Coloma pointed out that an investigation is being conducted by the Department of Justice to pinpoint culpability, which simply means the wheels of justice are now moving.

Marcos said that the report of the Senate’s investigation on the Mamasapano incident disclosed that the Philippine National Police’s chain of command was broken when Aquino, then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima and former SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas proceeded with the operation without then PNP officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina.

“He (Aquino) is the commander-in-chief and it seems that they have broken the PNP’s chain of command. That’s why it caused problems. So if there is anybody responsible… I think those identified in the Senate report should be included,” Marcos said.  

He also criticized the slow action of the government on the cases against suspects involved in the killing of the SAF commandos.

“There is already a report by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice (DOJ) already identified the suspects. I just don’t know why there is no case filed yet. Justice delayed, justice denied. That’s why we have to remind them on the heroism of SAF 44,” he said. With Delon Porcalla