PRESIDENT Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, and PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda yesterday paid tribute to 44 policemen from the Special Action Force (SAF) who died in a clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015 after a successful operation against a notorious foreign terrorist.
The President, during the Day of National Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice of the SAF 44 at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang in, Cavite, said the sacrifice and heroism of the SAF 44 would be devalued if the country cedes its territory to trespassers.
He also urged Filipinos to continue working hard to contribute to the “Bagong Pilipinas” envisioned by his administration so that the death of the 44 commandoes would not go to waste.
“We would also be disrespecting their memory if we give quarters to those who terrorize our people. We would be devaluing their valor if we cede our territory to those who would trespass upon it,” he said.
The SAF members were on their way back to base after killing Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, when they were waylaid by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups.
The incident had caused friction between the Armed Forces and the PNP because of allegations that the military did not provide timely assistance to the policemen during the firefight.
January 25 of every year has been declared as Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44 to remember the policemen’s heroism.
The Vice President said the country will forever remember the 44 commandoes for their sacrifice and heroism.
“Their enduring legacy is one characterized by unparalleled dedication, selflessness, and an unwavering love for our cherished nation and its people. We are forever indebted to these heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of a brighter future,” she said in a statement.
Acorda said the country lost the “valiant and selfless” policemen “in the pursuit of justice and peace.”
“The dedication and courage displayed by the SAF 44 in the face of danger exemplified the highest ideals of service, patriotism and sacrifice,” he said.
Acorda also said policemen should honor the legacy of the SAF 44 by dedicating themselves to upholding the rule of law, defending the nation from terrorism, and promoting peace and stability.
Marcos, who led a wreath-laying ceremony for ninth death anniversary of the SAF 44, urged the current batch of SAF commandoes to honor the memory of their predecessors “by never letting down the flag that they fought for.”
He also said many lessons can be drawn from the incident as the SAF 44, in their last hours, had “put nation before self,” “displayed courage under fire” and never gave up.
OBLIGATION
Marcos said the heroism and sacrifice of the SAF members would be a “debt that we will never be able to fully pay.”
“It remains an obligation that we will never extinguish no matter how often we give meaning to their valor. So how do we pay homage to these brave men, whose gallantry no memorial can fully capture, whose courage no words can fully extol? It is by working tirelessly to realize their dreams, for their families, for their children, for their comrades, for the people,” he said.
The President also said everyone should also continue working hard to contribute to the “Bagong Pilipinas” envisioned by his administration.
“Huwag nating pababayaan ang kapayapaan na kanilang ipinaglaban. Sa pagpupugay sa SAF 44, patuloy tayong magsisikap tungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas (Let us not disregard the peace that they fought for. In honoring SAF 44, let us continue to work towards a New Philippines),” he said.
Marcos said everyone should also be patriots and professionals who are driven by the same fearlessness and fortitude that the SAF 44 had shown.
“It is now up to us, who lived, who benefitted from their full measure of devotion to duty, to build a kinder and gentler society, wherein those they have left behind can live in peace and prosperity. That is the mission they have left us to pursue when they did not return from their last patrol,” he said.
Duterte said the fallen commandos “fearlessly prioritized duty and freedom above all else.”
“We are forever indebted to these heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of a brighter future. Let us stand united in solidarity, not only to commemorate the valor of each member of our esteemed SAF 44, but also to honor the families and loved ones they left behind. Though their victory was bittersweet, it ignited within us a flame of determination to forge more dignified paths towards sustainable peace,” said the Vice President.
HIGHEST IDEALS
Acorda said the “dedication and courage displayed by the SAF 44 in the face of danger exemplified the highest ideals of service, patriotism and sacrifice.”
He also said the incident serves as a “stark reminder” of the risks that policemen face every day “in the pursuit of safeguarding our nation and its citizens.”
Acorda said the memory of the SAF 44 should serve as an inspiration for all policemen to “continue advocating for justice and peace in our nation.”
He also said policemen should honor the legacy of the SAF 44 by dedicating themselves to upholding the rule of law, defending the nation from terrorism, and promoting peace and stability.
SUCCESSFUL BUT…
Lt. Col. Raymund Train, who was among those who led the Oplan Exodus operation against Marwan, that while the operation was successful, he was taking it “with a heavy heart because it had to be paid with the lives of 44 gallant men.”
“They were my friends, comrades and brothers in arms and I saw how well they fought until the very end and they did it willingly because in the PNP SAF, this is what we tell the world who we are,” he said.
“In the face of adversity, our gallant SAF 44 displayed extraordinary courage, selflessness and unwavering dedication to their duty. They made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their very lives for us to every Filipinos today and for the next generations to come,” said Train.
Raechelle June Sumbilla, widow of Senior Police Officer 2 John Lloyd Sumbilla, said she knew the risks her husband had faced as a policeman “but nothing prepared me for the news of his tragic passing.”
“The pain was unimaginable and the void he left behind seemed impossible to fill but I, like many others, found solace in the strength and unity displayed by our SAF 44 families,” she said.
Sumbilla said the Mamasapano incident “serves as a reminder of the dedication and bravery exhibited by our fallen heroes.”
“It is a day to honor their memory. Their commitment to duty and their unwavering love for our nation. It is also a day for us, the wives, to remember the strength and their resilience that has carried us through even the darkest of times,” Sumbilla said.
Sumbilla said she and the wives of the other SAF 44 “witnessed firsthand the sacrifices our husbands made for the greater good.”
“We have seen their unwavering commitment in protecting our society and ensuring the safety of our fellow countrymen,” she also said. — With Victor Reyes and Wendell Vigilia
