RELATIVES of the 44 slain Special Action Force commandos are scheduled to march to Mendiola Bridge with black arm bands today to dramatize their frustration and anger and to call for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III.
The indignation march will be supported by several civil society groups, including Bayan Ko, a group identified with Cory Aquino, the President’s late mother; Catholic Church leaders and the Movement for National Salvation.
Several retired and active members of SAF and policemen from different units are also expected to join the march.
Another anti-Aquino group calling themselves the Aquino Resign Movement or ARM could also take to the streets today, sources said. Former police chief superintendent Rodolfo Mendoza said many concerned citizens—including military and police personnel—were coordinating with ARM and were ready to join.
“I’m joining the clamor for the resignation of Aquino. I don’t care,” Mendoza said.
Bayon Ko converner Chit Pedrosa said Friday they will be sending a group to join the families of the 44 SAF policemen at Mendiola. “We will join them in calling for the resignation of Aquino. We should change this government,” said Pedrosa, an ally of the Aquino family before Cory Aquino took power in the 1986 People Power revolt. Earlier, civil society and church leaders said they too will support calls for Aquino’s resignation.
Retired policemen assigned to the SAF as well as active SAF members are also planning similar protests.
Their plan is to march to the House of Representatives to condemn the actions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and to call for an end to deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
In the House, opposition lawmakers dismissed President Aquino’s speech Friday as “an empty acceptance of responsibility.” “Pontius Pilate has spoken again. Ultimate responsibility rests on the President for the death of SAF 44,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said.
He urged sacked PNP Special Action Force head Getulio Napeñas Jr., to spill the beans now on the extent of Aquino’s responsibility in the Mamasapano incident.
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate also slammed Aquino. “The President merely absolved himself and Purisima of direct responsibility,” he said.
Both Ridon and Zarate urged the President to follow Purisima’s lead and resign, saying he was the major decision maker in the ill-fated operation.
“President Aquino should not evade responsibility for the untimely and bloody demise of the “Fallen 44” and use Purisima as his fall guy,” Ridon said.
“Purisima’s resignation is an admission of guilt over the Mamasapano clash.
