POLICEMEN from various units in Negros Occidental joined the commemoration of the bravery and heroism of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who lost their lives in a botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, two years ago today, January 26.
Personnel of Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOCPMFC), led by Superintendent Robert Lingbawan, held a wreath-laying ceremony at the parade grounds of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office headquarters in Bacolod City on Thursday, January 25.
Before the rites, they attended a mass at the St. Michael the Archangel Chapel.
The NOCPMFC used the #FallenButNotForgotten and #SaluteFallenSAF44 in its Facebook post for the occasion.
The Bacolod City Police Station 5 headed by Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana displayed a streamer to commemorate the heroic sacrifice of the SAF 44.
“You're gone but you remain in our hearts. Never forget their heroic deeds,” the Police Station 5 said in its Facebook post.
The Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station headed by Senior Inspector Alfred de Leon also put a streamer outside its headquarters as a “Remembrance for the SAF 44.”
President Rodrigo Duterte, through Proclamation 164 dated February 21, 2017, declared January 25 of every year as the day of “National Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice of the SAF 44.”
The SAF 44 were killed in a police operation called “Oplan Exodus,” a mission to take down international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and Filipino terrorist, Abdul Basit Usman, in Maguindanao.
Proclamation 164 stated that the memory of the SAF 44 “serves as a constant reminder of the continuing sacrifices made by our valiant uniformed men and women in the line of duty.” (PNA)