Manila: Philippines President Benigno Aquino III has urged his countrymen not to let a botched commando operation on a hijacked bus last month cloud their perceptions of the police force and the government.
Aquino said he has appointed a new police chief who will institute reforms and help create a new image of the Philippines after the hostage tragedy that ended in the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists and their Filipino hostage-taker on August 23.
"We will remove any trace of doubt from the public, but also in our government," Aquino vowed in a speech during a ceremony to mark the appointment of Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo as head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in place of Jesus Verzosa, who retired on Tuesday.
Repeatedly appealing for greater trust in the government and the police force, Aquino said, "Stop doubting your police forces and your government. After six years I assure you the sole legacy of my administration will be honest service — not corruption, not greed, not any shadow of a past tragedy."
"In the name of my parents I will not allow our country to sink no matter how heavy the challenges that may come," he promised.
Political dynasty
Aquino is the son of former president Corazon Aquino and hugely popular former senator Benigno Aquino, whose killing on the orders of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1983 sparked a strong anti-dictator sentiment that resulted in the latter's ousting in 1986.
"Our country has surpassed many challenges and we will not allow ourselves to stop. A lot more challenges will come our way," Aquino added.
