Groups hold 'sympathy walk' for SAF 44

MANILA, Philippines - Families of the slain 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members, together with graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and other groups joined a sympathy walk today for the police commandos who were killed during an armed encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.

The said march was organized to mark the 44th day since the SAF's encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters during an operation to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan.

The sympathy walk, headed by "running priest" Fr. Robert Reyes, started at 1 a.m. from  Dasmariñas, Cavite to Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Members of the PNPA Alumni Association and Gabriela joined the march at the police headquarters in Camp Crame.

The Quezon City local government earlier canceled the groups' permit to rally due to the issue of security.

On the other hand, the Palace had no objection to the walk but reminded that participants who would be found committing illegal acts would dealt with accordingly.

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