Caraga cops honor SAF 44
BUTUAN
CITY -- The Police Regional Office 13 joins the entire nation in remembering
the heroism of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in a
simple ceremony on Tuesday, January 25, held at Camp Col. Rafael Rodriguez in
Butuan City.
The
activity started with a mass at around 7:00am followed by a wreath laying
ceremony and a commemoration program at the PRO 13 Law Enforcement Memorial.
PBGen. Olay relayed the message from PNP chief Police General Dionardo B.
Carlos, who says that this commemoration should be taken as an opportunity to
reflect on the 44 SAF troopers' unselfish deeds for our country and that the
country owes their families a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid.
PRO 13 regional director PBGen. Romeo Caramat, Jr. said that through the
celebration of the National Day of Remembrance, the Filipino people,
particularly in Caraga region, will be able to continue to honor the lives and
heroism of the fallen troopers.
"[These] 44 members of the police force made the supreme sacrifice in order to fulfill their duty to serve and protect,” he said.
BGen. Caramat also said the exceptional brand of gallantry and love of country
that these policemen showed in Mamasapano should be engraved in the minds of
Filipinos not just today but also in the future.
The National Day of Remembrance shall be observed as a working holiday to let
the country commemorate the heroism shown by the 44 fallen members of the
police force who died seven years ago in a botched counterterrorism operation
in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Under the measure, all public institutions and
military installations are mandated to lower the Philippine flags to half-mast
every National Day of Remembrance. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
