LOOK: Aquino makes surprise visit to families of SAF 44

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday night paid a surprise visit to the families of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Aquino met with the families at the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame while they were being briefed about the compensation packages promised to them by the government following the death of the SAF troopers.

The President was at the event to find out the status of assistance given to the SAF families.

He was joined by several Cabinet officials like Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

Aquino first met with the family members of the SAF 44 on January 30 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig during the necrological services where he stayed for 12 hours.

During the first meeting, Aquino announced that each of the family would initially receive a minimum of P800,000 financial assistance.

The President met with the families for the second time as he faces resignation calls and speculations that he is now hiding from the public due to the Mamasapano fiasco.

READ: Is PNoy hiding from public amid coup rumors, resignation calls?

Aquino had admitted prior knowledge of the botched January 25 SAF operation in Mamasapano, but he has yet to fully explain his role in the incident.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. Aquino would make a decision in due time on whether he would reveal to the public all of his knowledge about the Mamasapano operation.