Palace denies Aquino got silent treatment from SAF troopers

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III did not receive silent treatment from members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) during their meeting last week, Malacañang said Wednesday.

In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino's meeting with the grieving SAF troopers on January 30 "went well" as he thanked the policemen for their service to the nation.

"At sa kahuli-hulihan po ay hiniling niya kung mayroong gustong magpahayag ng saloobin 'nung panahong 'yon. At dahil wala, sinabi po niya sa kanila na siya ay handang pakinggan ang kanilang mga saloobin," Coloma said.

Read: Watch: SAF troopers' 'cold shoulder treatment' on Aquino

Coloma told the media not to put meaning into the SAF troopers' unresponsiveness to Aquino, who asked the policemen if they had something to tell him at that time.

"Hindi po siguro dapat na bigyan ng iba pang kahulugan dahil sa nakikita ko naman po ay pinakinggan siya nang mabuti ng mga kagawad ng PNP-SAF at wala naman pong ipinahayag na negatibong reaksyon sa Pangulo noong pagkakataong 'yon," Coloma said.

The Palace official said Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II even held a follow-up dialogue with the SAF members.

He added that the President will continue to know the grievances of policemen and soldiers.

"Patuloy naman ‘yung proseso ng pakikipag-dayalogo ng Pangulo, 'yung patuloy na pag-aalam sa mga saloobin hindi lamang ng mga kasapi ng PNP-SAF kung hindi ng mga kagawad ng ating Sandatahang Lakas," Coloma said.

"Batid ng Pangulo, bilang Commander-In-Chief at Ama ng Bayan, na kinakailangan niyang malaman ang saloobin ng mga sundalo at pulis, ng mga lingkod-bayan at ng mga mamamayan," he added.