Speaking in reporters in Bacolod City, President Benigno Aquino III hits back at his critics Thursday, refused to take credit for the reprieved Mary Jane Veloso.
The president, also with the other government officials present, said they were only doing their job in protecting overseas Filipino workers.
“Hindi importante sa akin kung sino ba ang dapat bigyan ng kredito dito at bahala na ang taumbayan,” Aquino said.
“Imbes na, ‘di ba, naghahabulan ng kredito, baka dapat maghanap tayo ng paraan matulungan nga lahat itong mga kababayan nalalagay sa panganib,” he added.
Aquino replied to critics encouraging them to help in the campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking, advising also Filipinos to learn from Veloso’s case.
“Baka naman puwede silang tumulong sa pagpapalawak ‘nung impormasyon kung paano nga maiwasan ang mga sitwasyon na ganito,” he said.
“Si Mary Jane mismo, isa sa mga binasa ay huwag nang, ‘di ba, parang huwag nang gumawa ng paraan, sumunod na lang sa proseso kapag ika’y aalis ng bansa para magtrabaho. Iyon sana ang pagtuunan natin ng pansin,” he added.
Following the critics’ say that the government had failed to address human trafficking and illegal drug trade, he emphasized that the number of incidents involving Filipinos has decreased to 14 from 78, as the yearly average.
Veloso was spared following President Aquino’s appeal that the convicted be used as witness against illegal recruiters, as said by Indonesia’s Attorney General.
H/T: The Manila Times