Calls for resignation mount

A group of teachers and students, led by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and University of the Philippines Professor Rolando Simbulan, has joined the call for the resignation of President Aquino due to his deliberate choice to break the chain of command, unilaterally violate the ceasefire agreement with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and betray public trust by secretly conniving with the United States (U.S.) that led to the Mamasapano incident, which claimed 44 PNP-SAF men, 18 MILF fighters and 7 innocent civilians.       

Furthermore, this is not the first incident. Many tragedies have happened in the past four years, there were many botched operations.

“Aquino should resign from his position due to his participation in the attempt to cover up US involvement in the Mamasapano operation,” Lumbera said at the launch of the Save Our Nation:  Aquino Resign (SONAR) Movement in Quezon City.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on Thursday urged President Aquino to resign and hit the League of Cities – which is constituted of 104 cities headed by an administration ally (Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista) – for including Cebu City in its manifesto support for the beleaguered Chief Executive without his approval. The manifesto was aimed at countering calls for the President to step down. He said it is better for Aquino to resign instead of being ousted in a coup.

Rama also revealed his resentment that the national government has been ignoring Cebu City. He said, he had asked for assistance to construct the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) but none was given.

Bayan spokesman Teddy Casiño said many cause-oriented groups, civil society organizations, political and religious leaders, lawyers, members of the academe, and professionals have been meeting to launch another peaceful People Power Revolution, not a coup d’etat or an armed revolt. He said most people are demanding for truth and accountability on the Mamasapano incident. Many are also calling on President Aquino to step down.

Cariño said civil society groups and Church-backed organizations are planning to hold a protest on Feb. 25.

Mamasapano was a fatal result of US intervention mixed with Aquino’s incompetence and lack of leadership, he added.

“Clearly, the buck stops with the President,” Casiño said.

Duterte throws cap in

Speaking before 2,000 participants, mostly youth and students, of the First Federalism Forum in Northern Luzon, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he may run for President “if only to save the Republic” as it is confronted with problems on corruption, criminality and the possible collapse of the peace talks in the Southern Philippines.

“I could make this sacrifice if only to save the country from being fractured,” Duterte said.

He batted for a Federal Parliamentary form of government, from Unitary Presidential, which will address the neglect of the countryside and the Bangsamoro problem if the peace talks with the  MILF break down.

Duterte joins a long list of presidentiables which include Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Senator Mar Roxas, Senator Grace Poe, Mayor Joseph Estrada, Senator Chiz Escudero, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and former Senator Ping Lacson.

The filing of certificate of candidacy is on Oct. 15, 2015. Parties will finalize their team ups by July, only four months from now.

So far, surveys have shown Vice President Binay and Grace Poe as front runners.

Only 16 returned

The MILF has returned only 16 firearms that were taken from the 44 SAF fallen commandos who died in the Mamasapano incident.

With the BIFF claiming to have captured ten firearms, that leaves 18 more to be accounted for. Also night vision goggles, radios, cellphones, wallets, bullet proof vests, uniforms, and boots still need to be returned. 

While the military saw the MILF’s gesture positively, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was still hoping for the rest of the belongings of the slain SAF members be returned, according to AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas should demand the return of the above 18 firearms and other equipment of the dead commandos.

A day after the MILF formally surrendered the guns, PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director-General Leonardo Espina called on the MILF to also surrender its members who violated the international humanitarian law and were responsible for the deaths of his people as well as Basit Usman. It is unlikely the MILF will comply with this demand.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the return of the firearms and surrender of Usman would prove the MILF’s sincerity.

Tidbits

Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lañete, who was charged for plunder and graft over the pork barrel scam, has surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The Supreme Court (SC) ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) not to impose income tax on casino income as they are subject only to 5 percent franchise tax.

The New People Army (NPA) raid at the Mati Police Station is very serious because it is the provincial capital of Davao Oriental.

Congresswomen Rosemary Arenas, Lani Mercado, and Mitos Magsaysay were seen at the birthday party of Congresswoman Gina de Venecia.

Raechel June Sumbilla, widow of SAF PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla, told reporters that President Aquino and General Alan Purisima should admit their involvement in the botched Mamasapano operation and be meted out punishment.

Janet Carap, widow of PO2 Peterson Carap complained that President Aquino did not answer her questions as to “what did he do after learning about the incident, what did he do to save his people?”