PNP OBSERVES THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR SAF 44

“Our commemoration is a celebration of 44 lives well lived. We are given only one life and we are given free will on how to live it, but the gallant 44 chose to live it the way they did eight years ago”, PMGen Okubo said in his message. Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said that the Mamasapano mission was un unqualified success because it led to the confirmed killing of Marwan, an expert in the making of improvised explosives devices. “The success was resounding and worthy of celebration by all peace-loving peoples and nations, for every time that a terrorist like Marwan is meted justice, the victims of terrorism- regardless of their nationalities are gloriously vindicated”, Executive Sec Bersamin said. He said that the 44 SAF commandos, out of 300 or so in that mission, gave their lives in Mamasapano. They did so with the gallantry and heroism that all SAF troopers have been known to possess.

“They fought to their last breath against remarkably superior combination of the hostile forces that surrounded them. They were warriors to the very end”, he added. Meanwhile, PNP Chief, Police General Rodolfo S Azurin Jr said, “The heroism of SAF 44 will be forever etched in the books of our country’s history that will never be forgotten. Like the generations of warrior heroes before them, our fallen SAF 44 gave everything they had, not for glory or recognition, but for something greater than themselves. The least we can do is to remember them and their ultimate sacrifice”. PGen Azurin also told that we must also remember that the legacy of heroism of SAF 44 is not just a memory, but an inspiration for future generations of police officers to continue to serve with valor and integrity. “We will continue to honor their memory and supreme sacrifice as we make sure that their legacy lives on through our actions and dedication to the service. They will always be remembered as true heroes, who have given their lives for the service of Filipinos", PGen Azurin added.

The commemoration was also graced by the presence of senior PNP officials and the loved ones of the SAF 44. Mrs. Haslyn Acob, the widow of Police Master Sergeant Rodrigo Fernandez Acob Jr, who was among the SAF 44, delivered a message during the ceremony. “Today, we remember the unfathomable pain, but as a wife of a hero, I want to encourage the whole Filipino people, sana ay naging huwaran sila sa ating lahat na gawin ang ating mga tungkulin, maliit man o malaki para makatulong tayo sa pagkamit ng lasting peace and prosperity sa ating bansa”, Mrs Acob said. In a separate event, Police Lieutenant General Rhodel O Sermonia, the Deputy Chief PNP for Administration, along with members of the Directorial Staff, led a wreath-laying ceremony at Bantayog ng mga Bayaning Tagapamayapa at Camp Crame in the morning of the same day. As per Presidential Proclamation No. 164, issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, January 25th of every year is officially recognized as the National Day of Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice SAF 44. This significant moment in the history of police service serves as a tribute to the sacrifices made by our uniformed men and women in the line of duty and a recognition of their acts of valor. (PNP-PIO)