SAF men’s kin: We hope they’re the last to die

MANILA, Philippines - While demanding justice for their loved ones, the families and relatives of slain members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) said they want peace in Mindanao.

Virgie Viernes, widow of SAF Police Officer 2 Olivet Viernes, said the government should wage an all-out war against the killers of her husband and the other members of the SAF team. At the same time, she said efforts to ensure lasting peace in Mindanao should be pursued.

Viernes said she last spoke with her husband on Saturday night, hours before their deployment to Mamasapano.

Edgardo Bitones, father-in-law of PO2 Nicky Nacinos Jr., stressed the need to promote peace in Mindanao to prevent any more bloodshed.

“The government should see to it that there will be lasting peace in Mindanao. We hope that Nicky and the 43 SAF men will be the last to die,” he added.

Nacinos’ widow, Roselle, said he called her up at 2:40 p.m. on Sunday and asked for a P100 cell phone load.

But before she could react, she said she overheard successive gunfire before the call was cut off.

“When we called his number, someone who answered the phone told us Nicky was gone,” said Bitones.

The bodies of Viernes and Nacino were among those brought to Villamor Airbase yesterday and given full military honors.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Business Council, Lanao Peace Advocates, Bangsamoro National Movement for Peace and Development and Al Qalam Institute said the Mamasapano incident should not derail the legislative hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The groups called for the immediate passage of the BBL and urged the public to wait for the results of the investigation into the killing of the SAF team.

“We maintain our support for the peace process,” the MBC said. – With Edith Regalado, Gerry Lee Gorit