SAF widow tells Aquino: Please help us seek justice

MANILA, Philippines - The widow of one of the 44 elite policemen killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao personally appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to help them seek justice.

In front of Aquino, the widow of Sr. Insp. Ryan Pabalinas said she slowly accepted the death of her husband by consoling herself that he died as a hero.

"It is painful, though. All I ask right now is justice. not only for my husband, but for everyone who fought and fell," Erica Pabalinas said in her eulogy at the necrological services for the slain members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF).

She also said that her husband and his comrades did not pursue the ill-fated operation to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan because of the bounty on his head.

Pabalinas then urged her fellow widows to remain strong.

"For the grieving wives, let's be strong for our children because behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife, behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife!" she said.

"To our president, we seek for your help to attain justice. Please Sir President. Please help us," Pabalinas ended her speech.

Aquino was present at the necrological services at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where he tried to console and sympathize with the families of the killed policemen.

This was after he allegedly snubbed the arrival honors for the fallen cops at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday.

Aquino went to each one of the caskets and offered a short prayer. He personally condoled with the families and presented to them a medal of valor.

In his eulogy, Aquino told the grieving families that he feels them, and also assured financial support from the government and the private sector.

He vowed that the government will get into the bottom of the bloody operation.

"Sisikapin po nating makamit ang katarungan para sa lahat ng pinaslang at kanilang mga naiwang mahal sa buhay," Aquino said.