In honor of the ‘Brave 44’

TACLOBAN CIT , Philippines— Mayor Alfred Romualdez on Thursday attended the Mass and the 40th day commemorative activities in this city to honor the 44 Special Action Force commandos who died in the Mamasapano encounter last January 25.

The activity, dubbed as Salamat Again Friend or SAF, was initiated by journalists of Eastern Visayas, the police and some Criminology students who, after the Mass, offered a wreath and flowers and then lit candles after a short program at the Noblejas Junction in the city.

Romualdez, in his speech, underscored the mystery that still shrouds the Mamasapano incident and on the uncertainty of facts on who should be made responsible for the killing of the SAF 44.

“There are many times in our lives when we are confronted with situations like this,” the mayor said, referring to the puzzling question on why the SAF heroes were left unaided by other forces to die eventually, despite their call for help.

Romualdez however believed that the SAF 44 were ready to die when they stormed Mamasapano on that fateful day. He then called on the people to pray for the bereaved families and give them comfort, while continue to fight for freedom and be vigilant against terrorism.

“We do not allow evil and terrorism to scare us or even to discourage us from what we are doing not just on matter of ideology but doing what is right,” added the mayor.

Father Oscar Lorenzo, in his homily during the Mass at the Sto. Niño Church in the city, cited the bravery of the SAF commandos who he also described as “real men.”

Father Chris Militante, spokesman of the Archdiocese of Palo, said the remembrance of the death of the SAF 44 stirs the people to a sense of gratitude to them who “truly offered the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life for the sake of peace, ... an embodiment of the Filipinos’ desire to attain peace.” — Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros (FREEMAN)