Commemorating the heroism and sacrifice of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who died during the botched Mamasapano operations exactly four years ago, the Palace told the Office of the Ombudsman to “resolve with dispatch” the charges filed against those responsible for the death of the military members.
“Even as we continue to pray for the eternal repose of the souls of these gallant heroes who were recipients posthumously of the PNP Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) and as we share in the grief of their bereaved families, we urge the Office of the Ombudsman to resolve with dispatch the case filed against those who recklessly placed them in mortal peril,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Friday, January 25.
“The nation demands justice for them as well as the prosecution of those responsible for the botched police operation,” he added.
The 44 SAF members died in an encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on January 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
They were on a mission to neutralize Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino terrorist Abdul Basit Usman.
Those 44 SAF troopers were as follows:
Police Senior Inspectors Ryan Ballesteros Pabalinas, John Garry Alcantara Erana, Sr. Insp. Max Jim Ramirez Tria, Cyrus Paleyan Anniban, and Gednat G. Tabdi.
Police Inspectors Joey Sacristan Gamutan and Rennie Tayrus, Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Lover L. Inoncencio.
Police Officers 3 (PO3s) Rodrigo F. Acob Jr., Virgel S. Villanueva, Andres Viernes Duque, Jr., Vitoriano Nacion Acain, Noel Onangey Golocan, Junrel Narvas Kibete, Jed-In Abubakar Asjali, Robert Dommolog Aliaga, and John Lloyd Rebammonte Sumbilla.
Police Officers 2 (PO2s) Amman Misuari Esmulla, Peterson I. Carap, Roger C. Cordero, Nicky DC Nacino Jr., Glenn Berecio Badua, Chum Goc-Ong Agabon, Richelle Salangan Baluga, Noel Nebrida Balaca, Joel Bimidang Dulnuan, Godofredo Basak Cabanlet, Franklin Cadap Danao, Walner Faustino Danao, Jerry Dailay Kayob, Noble Sungay Kiangan, Ephraim G. Mejia, Omar Agacer Nacionales, Rodel Eva Ramacula, and Romeo Valles Senin II.
Police Officers 1 (PO1s) Russel Bawaan Bilog, Angel C. Kodiamat, Windell Llano Candano, Loreto Guyab Capinding, Gringo Charag Cayang-o, Romeo Cumanoy Cempron, Mark Lory Orloque Clemencio, Joseph Gumatay Sagonoy, and Oliebeth Ligutan Viernes.
In 2017, the Ombudsman found a probable cause to indict former President Benigno Aquino III of usurpation of authority and graft for his supposed role in the botched police operation.
Former PNP chief Alan Purisima and former SAF director Chief Superintendent Getulio Napeñas, Jr. are also facing the same charges before the Sandiganbayan.
In his statement, Panelo said such “tragic event” should never happen again and that “those in authority must learn from the mistakes of the past otherwise those valorous men in uniform would have died in vain.”
Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, on Friday also said they had already given the entire promised financial assistance and benefits to the troopers’ families, after a mother of one of the troopers claimed that they have yet to receive the entire aid.
Helen Ramacula, the mother of PO2 Ramacula, said 30 percent of the livelihood assistance worth P300,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) is not yet given to them.
Banac said they are open to any complaint that will be filed by the soldiers’ families and that the PNP is ready to assist them.
“Hindi natin papabayaan and mga pamilya ng ating SAF 44 (We won’t leave the families of our SAF 44 behind),” he said.