Rody declares Jan. 25 SAF 44 Day

MANILA, Philippines -  President Duterte has declared Jan. 25 of every year as a day of national remembrance for the “heroic sacrifice” of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died during the encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.

The declaration was contained in Proclamation No. 164 issued last Feb. 21.

“I ask all our countrymen to remember the heroism of the SAF 44 and recall the daily sacrifices of our uniformed personnel for the sake of the continued peace and security of our nation,” Duterte said in the proclamation.

“As the nation honors the memory of the SAF 44, their heroism also serves as a constant reminder of the continuing sacrifices being made by our valiant uniformed men and women in the line of duty,” he added.

Forty-four police commandos were killed in a lopsided clash with lawless groups and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano on Jan. 25, 2015.  

Police troopers entered a bailiwick of the MILF to arrest wanted terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his Filipino lieutenant Basit Usman.  

Marwan was killed during the early morning operation, which was dubbed as “Oplan Exodus.”

The raid, however, triggered a firefight that left 44 SAF commandos, 18 MILF members and five civilians dead.

The clash derailed the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which would have implemented the final peace agreement between the government and the MILF.

During a dialogue with families of the SAF 44 on Jan. 24, Duterte promised to declare a day of remembrance in honor of the fallen commandos.

The President has also approved the awarding of medals of valor to the remaining 42 SAF troopers who died during the encounter.

Two of the SAF 44 members, Senior Insp. Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron, were awarded with medals of valor last year.

Duterte previously bared plans to create a commission to reinvestigate the Mamasapano clash but decided not to push through with it after learning that the ombudsman is already conducting its own probe.