Aquino Takes Responsibility for Bungled Mission in Philippines, but no Apology

Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Thursday took responsibility for a bungled security operation in January that left 44 police commandos dead, but offered no public apology for the clash that has become his biggest political crisis in years.
Since the secret mission, Aquino's approval and trust ratings have plunged to their lowest level in five years, and a peace process with the country's largest Muslim rebel group has stalled.
"As president, I am fully responsible for any result - any triumph, any suffering, and any tragedy - that may be borne of our desire for lasting security and peace," Aquino said in a speech to graduates at a police academy south of Manila.