Mindanao bishops want reward money for Marwan be given to families of “Fallen 44 ” SAF members

President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a moment of silent prayer before the remains of the fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Troopers during the Necrological Service at the NCRPO Multi-Purpose Center of Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City on Friday (January 30, 2015). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — A Mindanao prelate said that the reward money for the capture of Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, should be given to the families of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), who all died while working on their mission.

“Since the 44 SAF due to Marwan, it is proper that the reward be given to the bereaved families of SAF,“ said Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad.

For his part, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said that the money was for the informants that reported the whereabouts of the Malaysian national.

“The Money comes from the US for the informants,” he said.

On the other hand, Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) said that the issue on the reward money should be tackled.

“Ang dapat na linawin kasi baka sa paghahangad na makuha ang pera maraming buhay ang nasakripisyo. Sino ba talaga ang tatanggap nun? Sino ba ang nakikipagugnayan sa mga Amerikano para makuha ang pera na ‘yun kung meron man,” he said.

He said that whoever would get the reward, that person or persons had the responsibility on what happened to the policemen.

“Yan ‘yung mga angulo na dapat tingnan…sino ba ang kukubra kasi kung sino ang makikinabang sa pera yan ‘yung may malaking pananagutan sa nangyari,” the Catholic priest added.

The reward money for Marwan’s arrest is USD 5 million or about Php 200 million.