Hundreds of students from Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) gathered today in Luneta Park to walk towards Ermita church for a symbolic “unity walk for truth and accountability.”
“The statements of government officials in the congressional hearings on the Mamasapano bloodshed have been all but clarifying. We fear that they are talking from a script made to cover-up the truth. And the sudden suspension of the hearing makes this fear even more real,” said Lianne Timenia, spokesperson of Youth for Accountability and Truth Now!(Youth Act Now!) Metro Manila.
“There will be no real accountability if the truth is continually obscured,” she added.
The House of Representative’s hearings on the botched Operation Wolverine or Exodus were suspended indefinitely on February 16, at a time when the Lower House was supposed to investigate the involvement of President Benigno Aquino III and the government of the United States of America. Forty-four SAF troopers, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and not less than seven civilians were reported as casualties in the operation.
“Almost a month has lapsed yet justice remains elusive for the victims of Mamasapano,” said Christian Lloyd Magsoy, Youth Act Now! Chairperson.
President Aquino paid a surprise visit at Camp Crame on February 19 to talk with the widows of the SAF troopers. According to reports, widows were disappointed because pressing questions were left unanswered.
“President Aquino added insult to injury when he told the widows of the fallen 44 that ‘we are all equal now’. referring to the assassination of his father Ninoy Aquino who was killed upon returning to the Philippines. He has not owned up for his role in the incident.” said Magsoy.
The students wore black armbands and white shirts with the text #NasaanAngPangulo printed on them. The term ‘#NasaanAngPangulo’ became a trending topic on social media site Twitter after President Aquino refused to break schedule and opted to attend the opening of a car manufacturing plant instead of going to Villamor Air Base for the arrival ceremonies of the fallen 44 SAF troopers.
The march culminated in a mass at Ermita church. Parish priest Fr. Sanny C. De Claro welcomed the youth marchers and called for prayers for the nation.
The youth marchers are gearing for a bigger mobilization at Edsa Shrine on February 25, in time for the 29th anniversary of People Power.
