SAF widow wants justice over aid

MANILA, Philippines —A widow of one of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who were killed in the encounter with fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Wednesday decried the slow pace of justice.

"Medyo slow ang due process na nangyayayri ngayon. Madami nang videos, ano pa ang kailangan nilang hanapin at para patunayan?” Raechel June Sumbilla, wiidow of PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla told reporters at the Makati City Hall.

"Dapat mabilisang aksyon. Nailibing na nga lahat, bakit pa kami pinahihirapan?" she added.

Sumbilla and the other widows and relatives of the other 43 slain SAF commandos were each given a P100,000 check as financial assistance by the Makati City government.

Sumbilla also added that both President Benigno Aquino III and resigned Philippine National Police chief, Director General Alan Purisima should admit their involvement in the botched police operation and be meted-out punishments.

For Sumbilla, the president as commander-in-chief and Purisima as in charge of the police operation, should be both held liable.

Sumbilla called on Aquino to break his silence and cooperate in the ongoing probe of the clash.

"Hindi sya nagsasalita eh. Ang hulling sinabi nya ay yung parang inaako niya yung responsibility na till death ay babaunin nya. Pero parang kulang," she said.

"Please coordinate with us Mr. President," Sumbilla added.

Meanwhile, while the government has been extending financial assistance to the families of the 44 slain SAF commandos, Sumbilla said what they really need now is justice.

"Meron pong assistance. Pero apart from that, ang pinakaiportante sa amin ay justice. Oo, meron nga silang mga tulong pero hindi ito makakapag lessen ng pain kung walang justice," she said.

Sumbilla said there will only be justice if the ones who planned and headed the botched police operation gets punished.

Sumbilla also called on the MILF to cooperate in the probe and to "tell the truth."

"Makipag cooperate din sila. Magsabi sila ng totoo. Kasama po sila sa dapat maparusahan," she said.

Sumbilla also supported the uploading of a video clip showing the bodies of the killed SAF commandos.

"Hindi naman masama ang loob ko sa nag-upload ng video. Gusto ko ring makita ng public kung ano talaga ang ginawa sa mga asawa namin, sa mga mahal namin sa buhay. Okay lang yun para mamulat talaga sila sa massacre na ginawa," she said.

Sumbilla told reporters that aside from the P100,000 given by the Makati City government yesterday, she and the other relatives of the fallen commandos were given P250,000 in financial assistance by the Office of the President.

For his part, Boy Agabon, father of fallen SAF commando PO2 Chum Agabon wants the MILF "pulverized."

"Ang sa akin lang, yung justice ay i-pulverize. Gagawa pa kami ng affidavit, magfile pa ng kaso. Mahirapan lang ang pamilya,” he said.

Agabon said Vice President Binay is urging the families of the fallen commandos to file criminal charges. However, for him, a military or police operation against the MILF would already suffice.

"Ang sbi niya (Binay) ifile ang kaso. Paano naman yun? Sa akin operation nalang enough na. Dapat pulbusin ang MILF," he said.