THE families of the latest graduates of the Philippine Military Academy were noticeably cold to President Benigno Aquino III but greeted Vice President Jejomar Binay with warm applause during the academy’s graduation rites at Fort Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City on Sunday
Some relatives of the graduates said Aquino was greeted with silence when he was introduced because they still remembered how the President allegedly mishandled the massacre of 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao more than a year ago.
When asked in an ambush interview for his reaction to the lack of a warm welcome for the President, Binay simply smiled and refused to comment. Both Aquino and Binay attended the graduation ceremonies of the Gabay Laya Class of 2016.
“It just happened. We did not talk about it [beforehand]. Deep in our hearts, we fear that our children would be deployed anywhere in the country and we are scared that what happened to the SAF 44 would befall our children,” said a PMA graduate’s mother, who refused to be identified.
She said her son was among the top students in the graduating class and she was sure that he would be given dangerous assignments immediately.
“We know the risk my son is facing but we want to be reassured that the risk they are taking is worth it. Given what happened in Mamasapano, our fears are real,” she said.
The 44 SAF members were killed on Jan. 25 last year during a covert operation to capture Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Marwan and his Filipino accomplice Basit Usman. Meanwhile, Aquino reminded the PMA graduates not to indulge in politics.
“It is important to always remain neutral when it comes to politics,” said Aquino, in a speech delivered in Pilipino. “It is in your hands whether democracy will remain, or if we will go back to abuses and lack of justice,” Aquino also told the PMA graduates.
Aquino also reminded the PMA graduates to be protectors of the country. “Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. It’s goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory,” said Aquino.
Binay, meanwhile, commended his fellow Ibanag, Cadet First Class Kristian Daeve Gelacio Abiqui, who topped the class.