We can forget about President Noynoy’s absence at the arrival honors given to the fallen Special Action Force (SAF) troopers at the Villamor Air Base on Thursday.
True, he could have tried to catch up and showed moral support to the relatives, the SAF, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) men and women at the rites that lasted three hours.
After exchanging pleasantries and exhorting foreign investors to expand business in this “relatively peaceful” country at the inauguration of a new Mitsubishi automotive plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Noynoy could have made it to Villamor in no time.
In 15 minutes or so, he would’ve been there via the South Expressway. Wala nang wangwang.
But the Commander-in-Chief does not have a knack for dramatic entrances.
He would rather wait till the next day, which he had declared a National Day of Mourning.
Only, the nation was greeted by the morning dailies with photos of the Commander-in-Chief sharing light moments, con todo smiles, with the Mitsubishi execs.
Those photo ops were around the time the rest of the nation were honoring the fallen heroes, as the remains of 42 of them in flag-draped caskets arrived in Metro Manila.
Their two comrades who happened to be Muslims had been buried the traditional way in their respective locales in Zamboanga.
We salute PO3 Jeds-In Asjali and PO2 Amman Esmila, our brother Muslims who fought on the side of the law.
On Wednesday night, Noynoy spoke for the first time about the SAF’s bungled operation that had had led to the horrible deaths of the 44 police troopers way back Sunday.
He had no choice but to admit he had ordered the operation kept secret from Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP acting chief Dep. Director Leonardo Espina.
It turned out, however, that the execution of Oplan Exodus against Jemaah Islamiyah international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, better known as Marwan, had involved suspended Director-General Alan Purisima.
Absolving himself, Noynoy blamed SAF commander Director Gitulio Napeñas for “lack of coordination” with the military.
Sino po ba ang Commander-in-Chief?
Why didn’t the Commander-in-Chief coordinate with the AFP chief, Gregorio Pio Catapang, and other top military officials, and yet the operation involved a suspended police official?
Amid public outrage, suspicion and cry for blood, I was wondering if Noynoy this time would say something somewhat reassuring.
I mean, just something that would assuage the anger and agony of the bereaved SAF families.
Say something that would have a semblance of truth and sincerity.
Say something that would have a semblance of strong leadership and loyalty.
Or at least, say something that would show respect that’s due a few good men who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
Man, just freaking say something that befits the occasion.
Those were a few things that lurked in the back of our minds while waiting for the longest time for Noynoy to open his mouth.
Not too long ago, he shocked the world when he harangued the local bishops in his “welcome address” during Pope Francis’ courtesy call at Malacañang.
Ang tigas ng mukha.
But Friday’s necrological services gave Noynoy another chance to shed light on this most horrible tragedy in which it was clear that Noynoy had literally sent the SAF troops into a death trap, a known lair of the MILF, BIFF and Abu Sayyaf.
In all probability, the president knew he would be jeopardizing the Bangsamoro peace deal by ordering the SAF’s incursion into MILF territory, then the president must have “coordinated” with the rebel leaders.
Note that the MILF negotiator Mohagher Iqbal has not held Noynoy responsible, blaming only the SAF.
In all likelihood, the president “coordinated” with Iqbal but the MILF would not give the SAF a free pass into the terrorists’ nest.
Note also that the president has not once questioned the MILF why the international terrorists were nestled in its territory.
Unfortunately on Friday, the Commander-in-Chief treated us into another lip service.
This guy’s propensity to lie about things is unbelievable.
His temerity to cover up stuff is simply hideous.
Remember the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), in which Malacañang fleeced billions and billions of pesos in congressionally appropriated funds?
Hideous.
Who doesn’t want lasting peace? We all do.
I don’t know about Noynoy, who has “coordinated” again with the MILF to create a “Board of Inquiry” to craft how best to cover up his and Purisima’s bloody mess.
Hideous!
etulfo2011@yahoo.com
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