Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reminded the Filipino people of the sacrifices of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who died in the bloody encounter against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in January 2015 in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Secretary Remulla and PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil led the wreath-laying at Gallant 44 Monument at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite.
Sec. Remulla said that while justice for SAF 44 can never be found , it is important to continue to advance reform in the ranks of the PNP.
“In their pursuit of their mission and their devotion as soldiers, they gave their service. They served their honor. But the question is: where is the justice? We have forgotten who is accountable. We have forgotten who is responsible. And we will never find it”, Remulla said.
Remulla emphasized that the SAF 44’s sacrifice should serve as a reminder that the foundation of the PNP is rooted in sacrifice, devotion, and service to the people.
But he insisted that not only the heroism of the SAF should be commemorated, but also the daily sacrifices of police officers who continue to serve and lay down their lives.
Remulla said it is also important to focus on the “code of ethics, freedom, and code of service” based on the example of SAF 44.
On January 25, 2015 the PNP SAF forces launched a mission in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao to serve arrest warrants against two bomb experts connected to an international terrorist group.
The mission resulted to the shootout between the PNP-SAF commandos and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The incident resulted to death of 44 PNP-SAF members, 18 MILF and five BIFF members.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.