Aquino defends ops, won’t take responsibility for cops’ deaths

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III admitted knowing that police commandos were planning an operation in a Muslim rebels-controlled area to hunt down high-level Malaysian terrorists, but dodged questions when journalists asked him to give a categorical “yes” or “no” if he gave a go signal for the date and manner it was carried out. At least 44 elite cops brutally died in the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is technically observing a ceasefire with the government. In his address to the nation and in the short press conference that followed, Aquino gave lengthy explanations that failed to clarify reports that he was personally monitoring the January 25 operation, while it was being remotely directed by the suspended police chief who is known to be personally close to him. A national day of mourning will be observed on January 30 for the fallen cops.

Read the full story on Rappler.

Read too the full text of Aquino’s speech in Filipino and in English.