MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III addressed the nation live on television on Thursday afternoon, September 17, to release results of an investigation into the death of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in Mamasapano on January 25.
The President sought to disprove 'alternate narratives' alledging that Marwan was not killed by Special Action Force (SAF) troopers.
"Ibig sabihin din po, lahat ng iba pang salaysay ukol sa sinasabing alternatibong naratibo ay wala ng basehan at wala na ring saysay (This means that all the other narratives about the so-called alternative narrative have no basis, and are also pointless)," the President said in his address, after presenting photos proving that the SAF killed Marwan.
Reactions
Reactions to the speech from netizens were varied. Some heaped praise while others expressed their irritation at the President for interrupting their regular afternoon television shows.
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<a class="twitter-timeline" href="http://go.rappler.com/https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/timelines/644404047772913664" data-widget-id="644414357216976896">Aquino on #SAF44</a>
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Paz Rubio Juco commented on the Gov.PH Facebook page, "Closure to this issue will not happen until after 2016 elections. Watch out: opposition candidates will definitely use the issue as black propaganda against the administration. And shld Roxas/LP win, expect the opposition and militant groups to resurrect it just to destabilize the govt. Haaay...phil politics, so predictable!"
Also on Facebook, Charles Yao observed, "This is too little too late. Totoo man yan, wala nang naniniwala (Even if it's true, no one believes you)."
Not all netizens were opposed, however.
Nelia Jardin commented on Facebook, "Let's move on," while Alfredo Lachenal Santos bid the President well.
Those killed in the Mamasapano clash are long dead but this is one issue that refuses to rest. - Rappler.com