MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Friday tried to console the families of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNPSAF) combatants who died in an armed encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
In his eulogy for the fallen policemen, Aquino admitted that it is difficult for him as a president to express his sympathies and condolences to the relatives of the slain cops.
"Sa pagharap ko po sa inyo ngayon, aaminin ko po, hindi ko mapigil tanungin ang aking sarili: Ano nga ba ang masasabi ko, para kahit papaano, ay mapagaan ang kalooban n'yo?" Aquino said.
Saying that he had also lost a loved one, Aquino told the grieving families that he feels them.
"Gusto ko pong sabihin sa inyo na damang-dama ko ang pakiramdam ninyo. Nauunawaan ko ang bawat pamilya ng ating kapulisang nasawi sa engkuwentro nitong nakaraang Linggo. Ako man ay nawalan ng mahal sa buhay nang biglaan," he said.
Aquino then recalled the moment when he learned that his father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., was assassinated during the Marcos regime.
He said like the families of the SAF troopers now, his world also turned upside down upon learning the tragic news about his father.
The president told the families that he cannot answer all their questions. He tried to console them by saying that God has a plan for everything.
"Napakaraming mga tanong na nag-uumpisa sa katagang "Bakit": Bakit ito nangyari? Bakit kailangang may masawi? Bakit kailangang magdusa ang pamilya? Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko masasagot ang lahat ng mga ito," he said.
Aquino also assured the families that the heroism of the slain commandos will not put into waste with the government's pursuance of peace in Mindanao.
"Malinaw po: Bayani ang asawa, kapatid, o anak ninyong dinadakila natin sa araw na ito. Malaki po ang utang-ng-loob ng sambayanan sa kanila. Binuwis nila ang kanilang buhay para mabigyan ng kaayusan at katahimikan ang buhay ng mas nakakarami," Aquino said.
"Sa ngalan ng sambayanang Pilipino, kinikilala po natin ang kabayanihan ng ating mga nasawing kapulisan. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kadakilaan ng kanilang sakripisyo. Nakikiramay po tayo sa bawat pamilya ng mga kapulisan nating nawalan ng mahal sa buhay," he added.
Aquino also vowed to the families that they will receive financial assistance from the government and private sector.
Earlier at the necrological service, Aquino went to each one of the caskets and offered a short prayer. He personally condoled with the families of the killed policemen and presented to them a medal of valor.
The elite cops were killed during a covert operation to capture Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Abdulbasit Usman.
Aquino's attempt to console the families came after he was criticized for "snubbing" the arrival honors for the fallen policemen at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.