SAF 44 commandos remembered

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Families of the forty-four brave members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commemorated the third year death anniversary of their loved one’s.

In many regions where the fallen heroes were buried, a wreath laying ceremony was held.

The Police Regional Office XI (PRO XI) commemorated the day with the wife of SPO1 Loven Inocencio.

Inocensio’s wife joined PSSupt. Jose Bayani L Gucela, DRDO in the wreath laying at the PRO 11 Bantayog ng mga Pulis Bayani, to mark the three years of the death of her husband.

The SAF 44 sacrificed their lives to serve warrant of arrest against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan at Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, on January 25, 2015.

The highly skilled SAF 44 were deployed to a supposed well planned operation, directed by one person, former PNP Chief Allan Purisima, turned a massacre killing forty-four commandos.

They hit the target – Marwan was killed.

The one-day encounter also killed at least 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and seven civilians in the ensuing gun battles.

On November 8, 2017, Former president Benigno Aquino III was charged before the Sandiganbayan, over the botched Mamasapano operations.

Aquino was charged for one count each of graft and usurpation of official functions for allowing dismissed police chief Alan Purisima to participate in Oplan Exodus despite his suspension at the time.

The families want to charge Aquino with 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, but the Ombudsman junked their appeal.

Charges were also filed in court against former PNP Director General Alan Purisima and SAF Commander Getulio Napeñas.

The cases still hang in courts.

President Rodrigo Duterte issue Proclamation No. 164, declaring 25 of every year as “A day of National Remembrance for the heroic sacrifice of the forty-four (44) Uniformed Personnel of the Philippine National Police, Special Action Force”. – Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph