THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas will commemorate on Thursday, January 25, the heroism of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died in the clash with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao three years ago.
Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, the PRO-Central Visayas information officer, said a mass will be offered at 8 a.m. and a wreath-laying ceremony will follow.
On January 25, 2015, the SAF troopers were killed while serving a warrant of arrest against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was also killed during the operation.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared, through his Proclamation No. 164, that the 25th day of January of every year as the Day of National Remembrance for SAF 44.
Former President Benigno Aquino III was charged on November 8, 2017 with graft and usurpation of authority before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the Mamapasano carnage.
Tolentin, a former SAF trooper, said his buddy in "cross schooling" in the Armed Forces of the Philippines's scout ranger regiment, Senior Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Acob Jr., was part of the SAF 44.
He said there will be no closure on the incident unless justice will be achieved by the troopers' respective families.
"I feel there is a need to remember my comrades who died in combat," he said.
Acob and 41 other SAF troopers were awarded with medals of valor last year.
Two SAF commandos, Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron, were the only recipients of the medals of valor during the administration of Aquino.
The other members of the SAF 44 commandos:
1. Police Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas
2. Police Senior Inspector Max Jim Tria
3. Police Senior Inspector John Garry Erana
4. Police Senior Inspector Cyrus Anniban
5. Police Inspector Joey Gamutan
6. Police Inspector Rennie Tayrus
7. Senior Police Officer 2 Lover Inocencio
8. Senior Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Acob Jr.
9. Senior Police Officer 1 Virgel Villanueva
10. Senior Police Officer 1 Noel Golocan
11. Senior Police Officer 1 Andres Duque Jr.
12. Senior Police Officer 1 Junrel Kibete
13. Senior Police Officer 1 Victoriano Acain Jr.
14. Senior Police Officer 1 Robert Allaga
15. Senior Police Officer 1 Jedz-in Asjali
16. Senior Police Officer 1 John Lloyd Sumbilla
17. Police Officer 3 Amman Esmula
18. Police Officer 3 Romeo Senin
19. Police Officer 3 Chum Agabon
20. Police Officer 3 Glenn Bedua
21. Police Officer 3 Richelle Baluga
22. Police Officer 3 Noel Balaca Jr.
23. Police Officer 3 Joel Dulnuan
24. Police Officer 3 Walner Danao
25. Police Officer 3 Godofredo Cabanlet
26. Police Officer 3 Franklin Danao
27. Police Officer 3 Jerry Kayob
28. Police Officer 3 Noble Kiangan
29. Police Officer 3 Ephraim Mejia
30. Police Officer 3 Omar Nacionales
31. Police Officer 3 Rodel Ramacula
32. Police Officer 3 Roger Cordero
33. Police Officer 3 Peterson Carap
34. Police Officer 3 Nicky Nacino Jr.
35. Police Officer 2 Russel Bilog
36. Police Officer 2 Windel Candano
37. Police Officer 2 Loreto Capinding II
38. Police Officer 2 Gringo Cayang-o
39. Police Officer 2 Mark Lory Clemencio
40. Police Officer 2 Joseph Sagonoy
41. Police Officer 2 Oliebeth Viernes
42. Police Officer 2 Angel Chocoen Kodiamat
(KAL/SunStar Cebu)