Opposition senatorial candidate Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said former President Benigno S. Aquino III should have taken responsibility for the Mamasapano massacre that happened in 2015.
Alejano, who is running under the “Otso Diretso” slate, had a different take on Aquino’s liability over the death of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.
“May kulang,” he said when asked if Aquino had done the right thing after the Mamasapano tragedy.
The former mutineer-turned-congressman explained that Aquino should have taken responsibility for the tragic incident as the “father of the nation.”
Alejano was among the eight senatorial candidates featured during last Sunday’s “Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate” which was supported by the Manila Bulletin.
His position on the issue was different from that of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, his fellow opposition bet in Otso Diretso, who defended the former President on the Mamasapano controversy during the “fast talk” segment of the first debate.
Asked if Aquino should be held responsible for the botched operation, Alejano said the matter should be left to the court.
The 44 elite policemen were killed on Jan. 25, 2015 during a counterterrorism operation launched by the PNP on orders of Aquino.
Meanwhile, former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada said the court should be the one to decide on Aquino’s liability for the implementation of the dengue vaccination program under his term.
“Iniimbistigahan ng Department of justice. Hayaan po natin magdesisyon sila,” Tañada said, referring to the Dengvaxia controversy during the televised debate. (Raymund F. Antonio)
