CEBU, Philippines - A widow of Cebuano Special Action Force trooper who died in the Maguindanao encounter yesterday joined militant groups in a protest action, calling for the resignation of President Aquino, to mark the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Dr. Christine Cempron, whose husband Police Office 3 Romeo Cempron died in the operation against international terrorist Sulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman, expressed his continuing grief for the loss of her husband.
“Ang nakapait atong goberno wala mo gitabangan. I know you don’t have the capacity (to fight against the government) kay lisud labanan ang mga naa sa goberno,” Cempron told members of the Philippine National Police at the Regional Police Office-7 headquarters.
She said that the rally held in front of the police headquarters is not to repeat the civil resistance of People Power Revolution but rather to voice out the sentiment of the people, who had the sovereign power to choose the president.
“Iya untang pangalagaan kay ang nagbutang niya diha ang katawhan. We are not here to replicate People Power Revolution. Naa’y uban nga naay sentimento pero they are just too afraid to shout what they really feel,” she said as she broke into tears.
She shared her disappointment when Aquino graced the opening of a car factory in Laguna instead of attending the arrival honors of the remains of the slain SAF members.
“You don’t know how it feels like because if you know how it feels like you shouldn’t have been into places, you should not be there in Santa Rosa City in Laguna just for an opening of a car , not even respecting the SAF 44, it would be their (families) first time to meet them,” she said.
She went on asking for the voluntary resignation of Aquino.
“We don’t have to ask him to step down. If he has the decency, then he would do it on his own,” she said. After her speech, the protesters continued their stride going to Colon Street.
Cempron joined the members of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide- Cebu, National Union of Students of the Philippines Cebu Chapter, Anakpawis Cebu, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Central Visayas, Karapatan Central Visayas, Bayan Muna, Anakbayan, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines Central Visayas, Kilusang Mayo Uno Cebu Chapter, Youth Act Now Cebu, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines Central Visayas, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Cebu and Alliance for Concerned Teachers Region-7 Union.
Starting at Fuente Osmeña Circle, where they gathered at around 8 a.m., the protesters marched through Osmeña Boulevard. Upon reaching PRO-7, a brief program was held to honor the fallen SAF 44.
Bayan Central Visayas chairman Jaime Paglinawan also aired their appeal for the president to resign.
“Sakto na, igo na, Noynoy resign na. Enough na sa kapalpakan niya sa goberno,” he said addressing to the crowd.
Meanwhile, PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas said that the protesters have the right to air out their views on the government since the Philippines is a democratic country.
“Let them air out their grievances. After a while mawawala rin sila,” he said.
Bañas has been a ranger in Negros Occidental during the EDSA revolution. He recalled that they wanted reforms before and a lot of which have been implemented at present particularly the creation of the Philippine National Police.
Bañas further noted that it is important to take into consideration the lessons in the past.
“Let us not forget history because if we forget history, we will tend to make the same mistakes,” he stated.
He added that what happened during the People Power will not happen in this present administration.
Chief Inspector Enrique Belciña of the Cebu City Police Office Police Community Relations said that about 100 persons held a rally along Colon Street in front of Gaisano Metro yesterday morning.— (FREEMAN)