Makati grants Php 100k to families of SAF “Heroes 44”

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay joined Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and Senator Nancy Binay in distributing P100,000 cash assistance to families of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who were killed in action in Mamasapano, Maguindanao (Photo courtesy of VP Jojo Binay’s Official Facebook Page)

MANILA, Feb. 18 (PNA) — The city government of Makati led by Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. on Wednesday distributed Php 100,000 to each family of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) killed in the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.

“Just like you and our fellow Filipinos, we in Makati are also crying for justice. We cannot say that we know how painful it is in your shoes but we understand your anguish,” Binay said as he personally hand over the checks to the families of ‘Heroes 44’ at the Session Hall, 22/F Makati City Hall on Wednesday.

Aside from that financial assistance, the city government also gave the children or siblings of the slain troopers a college scholarship in the course of their choice at the University of Makati (UMak). The scholarships will be available through the University’s ten colleges which included Arts and Sciences, Allied Health Studies, Business Administration, Education and Technology Management.

“This is our humble way of honoring our heroes. This is our way of showing our heartfelt gratitude for their courage to remain true to their duty of safeguarding the peace up to their last breath,” Binay related to the bereaved families.

Furthermore, National Housing Authority (NHA) Assistant General Manager Froilan Kampitan informed the families that the agency will be giving them Php 300,000 worth of house or lot, depending on the choice or need of the slains’ and injured kinsmen. This housing plan will be given to the families of both killed and wounded PNP SAF members.

The national housing assistance will provide Zen type, two-story house of 22.00 square meters with a loft.

“I know how tragedy leaves its painful scars in our memories. However, we all know as well that our beloved heroes- your son, your brother, your husband, your father- would have wanted a bright future for all of you, their families. Let me therefore urge you to remain strong for them and for everyone else in your family. Never let go of their memory, but never let go of those dreams you shared and built with them when they were still alive, ” Binay concluded.

Christine Kiangan, wife of Police Officer 2 (PO2) Noble Kiangan admitted that they are satisfied by what the government is giving them.

“We are being assisted by the government. Sometimes, they are personally granting us things that we need,” Kiangan said.

Meanwhile, Raechel Sumbillan, seven-month pregnant and wife of PO3 John Lloyd Sumbillan, said that they preferred justice for the victims’ death than financial and legal assistance.

“Yes, they are granting us financial assistance. But apart from those, the most important thing for us is to attain justice- to punish those who were responsible,” Sumbillan pleaded.

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay joined Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and Senator Nancy Binay in distributing P100,000 cash assistance to families of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who were killed in action in Mamasapano, Maguindanao (Photo courtesy of VP Jojo Binay’s Official Facebook Page)

Family members who were present in the tribute were Esther P. Anniban, mother of PSINSP Cyrus P. Anniban; Rico M. Erana, father of PSINSP John Garry A. Erana; Erica S. Pabalinas, wife of PSINSP Ryan B. Pabalinas; Leah M. Tabdi, wife of PSINSP Gednat G. Tabdi; Guillermo G. Tria, father of PSINSP Maxjim R. Tria; Merlyn D. Gamutan, wife of PINSP Joey S. Gamutan; Trinidad Tayrus, mother of PINSP Rennie L. Tayrus; Liezel A. Inocencio, wife of SPO1 Lover L. Inocencio; Cleofe S. Acain, wife of PO3 Victoriano N. Acain; and Haslyn R. Acob, wife of PO3 Rodrigo F. Acob, Jr.

The other recipients of the grant were Jennifer G. Allaga, wife of PO3 Robert D. Allaga; Rohirmina A. Asjali, mother of PO3 Jedz-in A. Asjali; Melanie L. Duque, wife of PO3 Andres V. Duque; Marie Angeli O. Golocan, wife of PO3 Noel O. Golocan; Maryjane N. Kibete, sister of PO3 Junrel N. Kibete; Raechel June M. Sumbilla, wife of PO3 John Lloyd R. Sumbilla; Yvette S. Villanueva, wife of PO3 Virgel S. Villanueva; Cornillie M. Agabon, wife of PO2 Chum G. Agabon; Noel M. Balaca, Sr., father of PO2 Noel N. Balaca, Jr.; and Santiago Baluga, father of PO2 Richelle S. Baluga.

Also included in the attendance were Adelisa S. Bedua, wife of PO2 Glenn B. Bedua; Zilsa Cabanlet, wife of PO2 Godofredo B. Cabanlet; Janet B. Carap, wife of PO2 Peterson I. Carap; Emeliza M. Danao, wife of PO2 Walner F. Danao; Benedict C. Danao, brother of PO2 Franklin C. Danao; Joseph Dulnuan, father of PO2 Joel B. Dulnuan; Eliza A. Esmula, wife of PO2 Amman M. Esmula; Aurelyn Kayob, wife of PO2 Jerry D. Kayob; Christine S. Kiangan, wife of PO2 Noble S. Kiangan; Miya C. Mejia, wife of PO2 Ephraim G. Mejia; Roselle B. Nacino, wife of PO2 Nicky D. Nacino; and Gae Ann G. Nacionales, wife of PO2 Omar A. Nacionales.

And the rest of the ‘Heroes 44’ were represented by Helen Eva Ramacula, mother of PO2 Rodel E. Ramacula; Edelyn E. Senin, wife of PO2 Romeo V. Senin; Celestino Bilog, father of PO1 Russel B. Bilog; Michelle G. Candano, wife of PO1 Windel L. Candano; Loreto T. Capinding, father of PO1 Loreto G. Capinding II; Julie B. Cayang-o, wife of PO1 Gringo C. Cayang-o; Kristine E. Clemencio, wife of PO1 Mark Lory O. Clemencio; Francis Kodiamat, father of PO1 Angel C. Kodiamat; Flavio S. Sagonoy, father of PO1 Joseph G. Sagonoy; Virgie C. Viernes, wife of PO1 Oliebeth L. Viernes; Ellene E. Cordero, wife of PO2 Roger Cordero; and Christin Cempron, wife of PO1 Romeo Cempron.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, his daughter Senator Nancy Binay as well as the city department heads and officials from National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and Southern Police District (SPD) were also present in the event.