GMA says Parsons was only defending himself

President Arroyo virtually cleared yesterday former Marikina councilor Sonny Parsons who was charged with homicide for the killing of two "Akyat-Bahay" gang members last week.

President Arroyo finally broke her silence on Parson’s case after having verified what actually took place that tragic day when the family of the former Hagibis singer and action star was victimized by the "Akyat-Bahay" gang in their Marikina residence.

In an informal luncheon press conference at Malacañang yesterday, President Arroyo disclosed she has instructed Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino "Nonong" Cruz to check on reports that homicide charges were filed in court against Parsons by the Marikina police.

"The case that was filed was a pro forma case. Anybody who kills anybody, there is always a case filed pro forma. But I think in this case, I told Nonong to check, if they have filed a case, not to proceed with it," President Arroyo disclosed.

"This is not vigilantism. He (Parsons) was defending himself and his family," the President pointed out.

The President’s action came almost one week after the incident took place.

"We’d check the facts. I didn’t answer right away because I want to check the facts first," President Arroyo told Palace reporters.

Palace sources earlier revealed that President Arroyo really wanted to issue a formal statement to commend Parsons for his heroic acts for his family.

However, the Palace official requesting not to be named, said the President decided to withhold issuance of the Palace statement in support of Parsons after former Marikina Mayor and now Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando reportedly cautioned her from doing so without getting the real facts of the case first.

President Arroyo’s commendation on Parsons comes on the heels of her total war policy against criminals. – Marichu Villanueva