Fallen 44 honored at PNPA rites

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday paid tribute to the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) by unveiling a mural featuring the images of the policemen killed by Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Binay led the unveiling of the mural – painted by artists from the Erehwon Center for the Arts – as part of the series of activities held during the alumni homecoming of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) at Camp Gen. Mariano N. Castaneda.

“Mamasapano is our shared sorrow,” Binay said during his remarks at the PNPA alumni homecoming.

“Seven of your alumni paid the highest price in Mamasapano, in fulfillment of their sacred duty to serve and protect the country. That loss was a deep blow that struck deep into the heart of every Filipino,” Binay said.

The slain members of SAF were also recognized by the academy for their contribution in the operation that killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.

During his speech, Binay pledged to do everything in his power to make sure that justice will be given to the families of the slain SAF personnel.

“Like you and the millions of our countrymen, I am also looking for answers that will pave way to the justice that they deserve,” Binay spoke in Filipino.

“I am giving you my word that I will do everything that I can to obtain justice for the 44 SAF commandos,” he added.

Binay mentioned the recent release of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) report on the Mamasapano incident, but stopped short of commenting on the involvement of President Aquino in the botched mission.

The BOI report had implicated the President for breaking the chain of command.

“We don’t need a document to know how brave these men are,” Binay said.

Binay also pledged to support the provision of added benefits to the police, but reminded them not to tarnish the image of the police force by maintaining professionalism and putting service above all.

Binay said that the sacrifice of the policemen, as shown by the bravery of the SAF commandos, merits an increase in compensation and benefits.

“The Vice President called for an increased in compensation of policemen to uplift their living conditions and the well-being of their respective families,” said retired police Chief Supt. Tomas Rentoy III, chairman of the board of the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc.

Rentoy said 35 classes from the PNPA have agreed to adopt as honorary members the widows and orphans of the 44 fallen SAF policemen.

“There were six PNPA officers who died in Mamasapano and their widows or orphans will be taken care of by their respective batch mates. That leaves 38 next of kin of the slain police non-commissioned officers for adoption of the rest of classes,” he said.

Rentoy, a graduate of the PNPA Class 1983, said that since there are only 35 classes that have graduated from the academy, including the PNPA Class of 2015, two classes will be adopting two widows or orphans of the fallen SAF troopers.

As adopted members of a PNPA class, the widows, orphans and relatives of the fallen SAF commandos will be entitled to the benefits and assistance accorded to each PNPA graduate by their respective classes. – With Jaime Laude