MANILA, Philippines - No honors were given to any of the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) commandos and their comrades who took part in an operation to neutralize top terrorists during the 114th anniversary of the police service yesterday.
Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, Philippine National Police spokesman, explained that while the “SAF 44” were meant to receive honors for gallantry in action, the PNP committee tasked to evaluate their performance failed to finish its deliberations in time for the event at Camp Crame.
President Aquino, the keynote speaker, was assisted by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez in presenting awards to outstanding police units and personnel in recognition of their outstanding service and exemplary performance of duty.
There were reports that, upon orders of Malacañang, the names of two SAF officers initially included in the official memorandum identifying the police personnel to be awarded by the President were dropped from the program.
Reports said two of the highest service medals of the PNP – the Medal of Valor and PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal – were supposed be have been posthumously awarded to slain SAF officer PO2 Romeo Cempron and to survivor Supt. Raymund Train, respectively.
However, Cempron and Train’s names were no longer seen in the program advisory released by Malacañang and in the official program.
A police official was said to have told the wife of Cempron that her husband would be honored during yesterday’s event.
“The awarding ceremony was intended to recognize the outstanding achievements of the men and women of the PNP for calendar year 2014. We also initially intended to honor the courage and sacrifice displayed by some of those involved in Oplan Exodus, which was the reason why the committee on individual awards chaired by the DPRM (Directorate for Personnel and Records Management) deliberated and processed some of those who participated in the operations,” Mayor said.
He told reporters that some of the awards to be given to the SAF commandos who took part in Oplan Exodus – the operation last Jan. 25 at Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao which intended to capture or kill wanted Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan – include the coveted Medal of Valor which only the President can bestow.
During the operation that killed Marwan, 44 members of the SAF blocking force were massacred by fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), prompting them to be called the SAF 44.
“However, it requires a lengthy process and a thorough evaluation, that’s why the review could not be completed on time despite our best efforts. For this reason, these awards were not included in the program today,” Mayor said.
“But rest assured that the deliberation and vetting process by the committee are ongoing and shall render the honor due the SAF 44 at the most appropriate time,” he added.
Mayor said the SAF was also not given a unit award for Oplan Exodus as the operation happened this year.
Only police operations staged last year by National Support Units (NSUs) were considered for this year’s awards, he said.
The unit award was given to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The PNP celebrates Police Service Anniversary every Aug. 8 to commemorate the joint founding anniversaries of its forerunner organizations – the Philippine Constabulary founded in 1901 and the Integrated National Police established in 1975.
Who is Cempron?
According to PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone survivor from the 55th Special Action Company, Cempron told him to escape while he stood up to provide cover during what was described as the deadliest police operation in recent history. Cempron was shot and killed.
Train, meanwhile, was the leader of the 84th Special Action Company that was instrumental in subduing Marwan in his hideout.
Recipients of the highest PNP award or their family will receive a monthly cash allowance. Their children can also avail of scholarships in private universities.
Due recognition given
Malacañang denied it had a hand in the exclusion of the names of Cempron and Train in the list of police awardees.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Office of the President did not have any participation in the selection of police officers and individuals that were given recognition during the police service anniversary.
Coloma cited the statement of the PNP that the evaluation requires a lengthy process.
He stressed that Aquino had recognized and honored the members of SAF 44 in a number of speeches and the administration is firmly determined to see to it that justice shall be served.
‘Demoralizing’
For his part, Vice President Jejomar Binay lamented the reported delisting of Cempron and Train in the list of police awardees.
“It’s saddening. What could be the motivation? Col. Train led the SAF troopers. And he was the one who led the group in getting the finger of Marwan,” Binay said in an interview yesterday in Pangasinan.
“They were not even properly thanked and acknowledged and now this happened. That’s demoralizing,” he said. – With Helen Flores, Aurea Calica