'PNoy, Mar presence at SM North disgusting'

MANILA, Philippines - A militant group criticized President Benigno Aquino III for showing up in a shopping mall in Quezon City that was robbed on Sunday evening.

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it is "disgusting" that Aquino and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas "immediately" went to SM City North Edsa after a criminal gang took P5 million worth of jewelry from a store.

The group said the presence of Aquino and of Roxas may have been unnecessary.

"The presence of high-ranking police officials at the scene of the crime would have been enough to restore what’s left of the public’s sense of security. Aquino and Roxas showed just how they love Henry Sy and other big capitalists," the group said in a statement on Monday.

The group also claimed that the presence of Aquino and Roxas in SM North Edsa was an insult to the victims of "Yolanda" who were not evacuated by the government and who received late relief.

At a televised press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino only showed up in the robbed shopping mall to check the situation and also to ensure that proper investigation will take place.

For his part, Roxas said he welcomes the criticisms hurled against them, saying these are part of the job.

"Mas mabuti na binatikos na pinuntahan ng Pangulo and yours truly 'yung insidente kaysa ang batikos ay ‘hindi nila napuntahan’, di ba?" Roxas said.

Read: Mar brushes aside criticisms over SM heist visit

But KMU pointed out that while Aquino and Roxas were able to visit SM North after the crime, they failed to go to Taguig City where a fatal bus accident occurred on Monday.

"It is telling that the two are nowhere to be found when 21 people died after a bus dived from the Skyway into the South Luzon Expressway this morning," KMU said.

Earlier this year, Aquino and Roxas were also criticized when they also went to Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City where a gas leak resulted in an explosion in a condominium unit.

The President fired back at his critics last week, saying it's easier for them to write and hit anyone.

“Bahala na si Lord sa inyo, busy ako," Aquino told his critics in a speech before the Filipino community at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo.