REMEMBERING THE HEROES. Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos Jr. (right), director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (right), and 4th Special Forces Battalion commander Lt. Col. Darwin Padla (left), offer flowers in remembrance of the 'SAF 44' who offered their lives in defense of the country in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25, 2015. The 44-member elite police officers perished during a law enforcement operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, five years ago. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BARMM)
PARANG, Maguindanao – Police authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) paid tribute on Saturday to the acts of heroism of 44 elite police officers who were killed during law enforcement operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao five years ago.
Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos Jr., regional director for Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) and Lt. Col. Darwin Padla, commander of 4th Special Action Battalion, Special Action Force (SAF), led the observance of the national remembrance for the acts of heroism of the police’s Special Action Force (SAF) and commemorate the sacrifices of the SAF 44.
The two officials also led the wreath-laying in commemoration of the Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44 inside Camp Brig. Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, the headquarters of PRO-BAR here.
In his speech, Marcos called on all police officers to remain steadfast against the injustices by terrorist and lawless groups in the BARMM and continue remembering the “gallant 44” who offered their lives in the name of public service.
“On this day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44, let us continue our duties and responsibilities to the Filipinos and to our nation,” he said, urging police officers to include the SAF 44 in their prayers.
“We must pledge to preserve the memories of our brothers who gave their lives for defending our country so that their heroic sacrifices are not forgotten by generations,” Marcos added.
Saturday’s event is a simultaneous activity of the Philippine National Police every 25th day of January as proclaimed under Presidential Proclamation No. 164 declaring January 25 of every year as a day of national remembrance for the SAF 44. (PNA)
