MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III still won't apologize over the Mamasapano operation that left about 60 people dead including 44 police commandos, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino has yet to discuss any plan to make the formal public apology demanded by various sectors and politicians.
"Recalling my discussions with him in previous days, it has not really come up whether he will apologize or what his thoughts are on the issue," Valte told reporters during the regular Palace press briefing.
Asked why Aquino has not issued an apology nearly two months after the Mamasapano tragedy, Valte insisted that the president was misinformed by police officials about the bungled operation.
She also said the president "has been focused on what can be done in the aftermath of the January 25 incident."
"The hard work will continue to be done. It is not just the issues that we are dealing with from the January 25 incident that need to be addressed rather other issues that also require presidential action," Valte said.
When pressed on whether Aquino is the type who apologizes for a wrong doing, Valte said the president is imperfect.
"He has said this in the past, 'Hindi ako perpektong tao at hindi rin ako perpektong pangulo.' I think there is a lot—that particular statement from him shows a lot as well," the Palace official said.
Amid calls for an apology and his resignation, Valte said the president "knows very well" the "high emotions" of the public over the deaths of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.
"He is not alien to them and in fact, we tend to forget that he is also grieving for these people," she said.
Aquino is facing his biggest political crisis over his perceived mishandling of the Mamasapano debacle. He has been under heavy fire for pinning all the blame for the botched operation to relieved SAF commander Getulio Napeñas.
The president said last week that he was deceived by Napeñas that the Mamasapano operation to arrest two terror suspects and its execution would be carried out efficiently based on the details presented to him, but this turned out to be"mission impossible."
READ: Aquino: I was fooled on Mamasapano mission
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Board of Inquiry (BOI) report on the Mamasapano incident found that Aquino broke the chain of command when he exercised his authority to deal with Napeñas in the execution of the operation.
The BOI said in its report that the president also broke the chain of command when he bypassed PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espinaand dealt directly with his close friend, then suspended PNP Director General Alan Purisima.
The Senate committees that investigated the Mamasapano tragedy also said in their report released on Tuesday that Aquino is "ultimately responsible" for the outcome of the SAF mission.
"The President, the buck stops with him. If he can own up to it, I’m sure the people would be less confused," Sen. Grace Poe said.
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