MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang isn’t completely convinced that the phrases attributed to President Benigno Aquino III by families of fallen Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were entirely accurate.

On Monday, February 23, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda expressed doubt over the accuracy of the phrases that disappointed families said came from the President during their second meeting with him.

News reports quoted families as saying they were let down by Aquino and his demeanor when they asked him about details on the secret operation that killed their kin.

Aquino reportedly responded in phrases like “Do you want us to get fingerprints?” when asked about making the guilty pay, “Do you play computer?” when asked why no air strike was sent, and “Tabla-tabla tayo (we’re all even) because I also lost my father” in speaking with the victims.

Lacierda said the Palace had kept mum on what was discussed in the meeting at Camp Crame to respect the privacy of families, but said “this has come to a situation where certain words were being put into the President’s mouth.”

“For instance, I asked [Social Welfare] Secretary Dinky Soliman on that point ‘tabla-tabla tayo.’ Secretary Dinky Soliman, who was present, said he never said it. In fact, what he said was: ‘Pareho tayong nawalan (We both have lost someone),'” Lacierda said.

“And he described how his father was murdered also. It does not mean ‘tabla-tabla tayo.’ The President was expressing solidarity with them, the heinousness of the murder of his father.”

Lacierda also said interpretations may have varied among the families.

“Interpretations can vary from one family to another. Some interpretations may not be pleasant. They may continue to feel aggrieved and that’s natural,” Lacierda said.

The spokesperson added that there were families who expressed gratitude and said they were enlightened by their talk with the President – something the news did not cover, he said.

Regardless, Malacañang said Aquino’s goal was to interact with families and provide answers to those who asked for more details regarding the operation.

“But the point is the President came forward to the family members and when the questions were asked, the President did not hesitate to answer those questions,” he said.

On Wednesday, February 18, the President met with families of the fallen SAF troopers who died in a clash with Moro rebels nearly 3 weeks earlier.

The January 25 operation saw some 392 SAF commandos enter Mamasapano town, a known bailiwick of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), to serve arrest warrants to top terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman.

The operation resulted in a bloody clash between SAF troopers and rebel forces that claimed at least 65 lives, including 44 members of SAF. The MILF blames this on the SAF team’s failure to coordinate with them, as provided in its agreement with the government on operations in known MILF territories.

Since the operation, the public – including families of those who died – has expressed their disappointment in Aquino for his handling of the event. Further dissatisfaction stems from confusion over Aquino’s role in the operation. – Rappler.com