Whether the 44 Special Action Force personnel killed in a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25 will be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani does not seem to be a concern for their kin, Malacañang said Saturday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the kin of the 44 did not bring this up with President Benigno Aquino III when he met with them.
“Ang masasabi ko, dahil nasaksihan ko pakikipagpulong ng Pangulo ang heart-to-heart talk sa bawa’t isang pamilya, tila hindi yan issue o usapin sa kanilang hanay,” he said on government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Besides, he said the families already have plans on where to bury their fallen loved ones.
Coloma also said many of the families live outside Metro Manila and could be inconvenienced if they have to visit their fallen loved ones at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.
He urged lawmakers planning to file a resolution to have the 44 buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani to respect the families’ wishes.
“Respetuhin natin bago maisulong ang suhestyon na ito. May kanya-kanyang plano ang pamilya kung saan iuuwi ang mahal sa buhay,” he said.
