Palace clarifies Noy remarks to SAF 44 kin

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang gave the impression yesterday that the families of the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were not telling the truth about their surprise meeting with President Aquino in Camp Crame last week.

However, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda refused to say outright that they were lying.

Speaking to reporters, Lacierda said Social Welfare  Secretary Corazon Soliman, who was present at the meeting, told him that Aquino did not utter the words “tabla-tabla tayo,” when he referred to his parents Benigno Aquino Jr. and Corazon Aquino.

“This has come to a situation where certain words were being put into the President’s mouth,” he said. “And interpretations can vary from one family to another.”

Lacierda said Aquino uttered the words “pareho tayong nawalan.”

“He described how his father was murdered also,” he said.

“It does not mean tabla-tabla tayo... The President was expressing solidarity with them, the heinousness of the murder of his father.”

Lacierda said the differing views of some families were reported in media and blown out of proportion, when a majority of them saw Aquino’s sincerity.

“Would you (media) be also interested to know that apart from those three (families), there were some who were enlightened by the statements, which nobody seemed to be interested in,” he said.

“The interpretation may come differently for one family to the other... What we know for instance, one family mentioned that they were enlightened by the explanation of the President but none of that was reported.

“And the cases where there were mentions of tabla-tabla… I asked Secretary Dinky Soliman, she does not recall those statements made. It is possible, however, that the family members who were aggrieved interpret it in such a manner.”

Lacierda said the most important thing is that Aquino was at Camp Crame to listen to and help the families of the slain police commandos.

“The President was there to express solidarity,” he said.

“And to also ask further: How are you? How are things? And I think most importantly if there is any group of people who demanded answers, these are the people who sought the answers, who wanted the answers.

“They (family members) asked hard questions to the President, and the President did not in any way shy away from answering those questions.”

Legal assistance for families

Families of the 44 slain police commandos will get legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) at the end of various investigations on the Mamasapano shootout.

Speaking to reporters in Quezon City yesterday, Chief Public Attorney Persida Acosta said the families meanwhile are free to consult with PAO on their legal options.

She refused to give details on matters concerning relatives of the commandos.

At same press conference, running priest Robert Reyes said some families have sought his help to attain justice for their relatives.

“We must also remember the 18 MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) fighters and the civilians – including a child – who died in the clash,” he said in Filipino.

Helping the families of the commandos is within PAO’s mandate to extend free legal assistance to  indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases, as defined under Republic Act 9406, Acosta said.

Early this month, she signed a memorandum creating a special PAO team to represent clients nationwide in cases involving national security and interest.

“It is understood that the resident public attorney assigned in a particular court where PAO clients are party litigants in cases involving national security and interest shall be automatically designated as special public attorney to assist the team,” read the order.

SAF video showing

A one-hour video documentary about the SAF will be shown at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Camp Crame on Feb. 26.

It is for the benefit of families the 44 slain commandos and survivors of the Mamasapano massacre.

SAF founder former President Fidel Ramos will lead the special tribute to the fallen 44.

Multi-sectoral groups will attend the event, including retired police and military generals.

Capping the event is an interactive dialogue between Ramos and the audience on the day’s burning issues, including the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Highlight of the event is the  turnover of donations from various corporations, civic groups and individuals to the SAF Foundation for the benefit of the families and survivors of the Mamasapano massacre.  – With Janvic Mateo, Non Alquitran