Noy to SAF kin: Beware of opportunists

MANILA, Philippines - Several groups and individuals are using the Mamasapano tragedy for sinister ends, especially to sow division in the police and the country in general, President Aquino said yesterday at the commemoration of the first anniversary of the carnage that left 44 police commandos dead at the hands of Muslim guerrillas.

“Some would take advantage of the controversies in your ranks to create disunity, to use the tragedy for selfish agenda,” Aquino said in a speech delivered in Filipino at Camp Crame.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile has persuaded a Senate panel to reinvestigate the Mamasapano tragedy, citing new evidence.

Aquino yesterday posthumously awarded two Medals of Valor to two of the 44 slain SAF troopers – Chief Insp. Gednat Garambas Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cumanoy Cempron for exceptional heroism.

In his speech, Aquino said he was wondering why justice has remained elusive for the fallen commandos, adding he couldn’t help but compare the pace of the investigation with that of the Boston marathon bombing in the US. In the US incident, authorities were able to make the perpetrators account for their crime just after a year.

“Like you, I’m getting impatient with the slow pace of justice in this country. As they say, justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

Also yesterday, Aquino met with families of SAF troopers after the ceremonies, according to Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Coloma said the President discussed with the SAF families the implementation of various forms of government assistance.

He said Aquino has “instructed concerned government officials to exert all efforts to extend the needed assistance to the families.” 

Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, meanwhile, appealed to some groups not to politicize the quest for justice for the 44 slain commandos.  – Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe