Mourner-in-chief Noy to families: I feel your pain

MANILA, Philippines - Under fire for his absence at the arrival in Manila of the remains of 42 slain police commandos the other day, President Aquino spent the entire day yesterday condoling and holding “private conferences” with each of the bereaved families.

The President went from one casket to the next, handing out framed medals of bravery to the relatives of 42 of the 44 slain members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (SAF), promising them justice and reassuring them, “I feel your pain.”

He said the death of the 44 SAF commandos at the hands of Islamic rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday would not be in vain.

Emotions have been running high amid reports that the SAF members were butchered. In his eulogy, the President said he was at a loss for words on how to console the families.

Also at the wake were the President’s sisters Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada, Viel Dee and Kris Aquino.

As of 6:45 last night, Aquino and his Cabinet officials were still at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to personally speak with the grieving family members.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President allotted the whole day yesterday, declared as a National Day of Mourning, to be with the families to express his sympathy and condolences.

The Palace had clarified that during the arrival of the remains of the slain policemen at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday, officials deemed it best to give the families time to grieve in private for their fallen loved ones. Officials said Aquino’s absence was not a snub.

“The President’s private conference with each bereaved family is ongoing. He will remain in Bicutan until he has met them all,” Lacierda said last night.

Aquino conferred on each of the fallen SAF members a “Medalya ng Katapangan” or the Medal of Courage, the fourth highest award of the PNP corresponding to the Gold Cross Medal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It is conferred on members of the PNP who exhibited gallantry in action and faced superior enemy force in actual combat.

Based on a briefer posted on the government’s website, the medal is in the shape of a golden spearhead pointing downward. At the center of the spearhead is a Kampilan placed vertically with the blade at the top superimposed over a sampaguita wreath. At the base of the spearhead is a space where three stars are arranged horizontally.

At the back of the medal, the name, grade and organization, as well as the place and date of the act for which the medal is awarded, are engraved. The ribbon is attached to a bar with the inscription “Katapangan.”

Coloma said Aquino reiterated to each family that the government was determined to render justice to the fallen troopers.

The President also discussed specific assistance that the government was extending in terms of employment and livelihood, education, housing, health and well-being of family members, Coloma said.

Coloma said Aquino directed Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to ensure that the families would receive all of the benefits due them within the shortest time possible.

According to Coloma, the package of benefits included lifetime pension, gratuity equivalent to a year’s salary, additional pension for the next five years, Pag-IBIG Fund death benefits, insurance benefits and commutation of leaves.

“Each family will initially receive a minimum of P800,000 in cash, excluding monthly pension benefits. Scholarship assistance will also be given to their children, as well as employment and livelihood assistance to their widows, siblings and parents,” Coloma said.

On Tuesday night, the President appealed to the public to extend utmost support to the bereaved families of the heroic members of the SAF operatives, who gave their lives in the service of the country.

Aquino also assured the people that the administration would not be cowed and would continue its fight against terrorism alongside the quest for peace.

“One of my most difficult tasks as President is condoling with the bereaved. As I stand before you today, I cannot help but ask myself: What could I possibly say that would console you?” Aquino said in Filipino at the necrological service for the fallen SAF troopers at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

“It is clear: Your husbands, brothers, and sons, whom we honor today are heroes. Our nation owes them a great debt of gratitude. They sacrificed their lives, to bring peace and order to the lives of the vast majority,” the President said.

Aquino said this was the reason why the Philippine flag flew at half-mast in all police and military camps and in all government offices.

“Now that we have brought home their bodies, our flag embraces each and every one of them. This is a sign of the state’s recognition of the courage, dedication, and heroism that they displayed. This is a sign of our grief, a grief not only from their families and friends, but the grief of an entire nation. This is a sign that they lived and they died, not for themselves, but for their country,” the President said.

In the name of the Filipino people, Aquino said the government was giving due recognition to the valor of the fallen policemen and thanking them for the courage of their sacrifice.

Aquino wore a black armband on the sleeve of his barong Tagalog.

His youngest sister, actress and host Kris Aquino, assuring the families in an interview aired on television that she could understand what they were going through, having lost her father, the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., in a violent way as well.

The President talked about the 1983 assassination of his father as well in giving assurance that he could genuinely understand how the families of the slain operatives were feeling, and told them that if the death of his father failed to bring about change, “then is it not true that all his sacrifices would have been for nothing?”

“This is why we will not allow the ultimate sacrifice paid by our heroes in the police to go to waste. Should their deaths lead to realizing the peace we all desire, then we would be able to say that their sacrifice was not in vain. This true, lasting change would become their legacy for the entire Filipino nation,” Aquino said.

Truth will be uncovered

President Aquino said Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II had formed a Board of Inquiry to uncover the truth behind what happened and to determine those responsible.

“We do not want a repeat of incidents like this. As President, even if I want to be angry, I cannot allow myself to be carried away by my emotions. Rash decision-making has no place in these situations. If I were to let my anger dictate my actions, then perhaps instead of resolving the problem, I would only exacerbate it. We will do our utmost to gain justice for all those who perished and for the loved ones they left behind,” the President said.

In his speech, Aquino recalled his father telling him that they were nearing a bloody war at the time and ended up going home by himself.

“His only companions were the media, and he was clearly defenseless. He said: Perhaps somehow, (then President Ferdinand) Marcos’ curiosity would be piqued, and he would give me a chance to dialogue with him and convey to him the country’s true situation. In that manner, we could finally begin our country’s peaceful return to democracy,” Aquino said.

The President said he was alone watching television in their residence in Boston, waiting for news about what had happened to his father, when the announcer on television reported: “Opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, was seen lying in a pool of blood; shots were fired.”

“When we confirmed what had happened, I did not allow myself to weep. I stopped my tears and channeled all my energy to anger,” he said.

The President said their father was the head of the family and their protector, guide, inspiration and the wellspring of strength supporting their family during martial law.

“In that moment of absolute misery and pain, several questions occupied my mind: Now that our father is no longer with us, how can we achieve that which we desire for our country? Does this mean we have reached the end of our fight? If transformation could not be achieved even after my father died, had my father’s sacrifice, and that of thousands of Filipinos, gone to waste?” he asked.

During those days, Aquino said he could not help but think that the final chapter would end with a bloody revolution. But his perception, he added, started to change after he saw the multitudes that flocked to their home on Times street in Quezon City, to stand in solidarity with them. – With Sheila Crisostomo, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Evelyn Macairan, Ric Sapnu, Ariel Paolo Tejada, Artemio Dumlao, Gerry Lee Gorit, AP