PRO 11 honors SAF 44
THE Police Regional Office (PRO 11) honored yesterday at Camp Quintin M. Merecido, Davao City, the heroic sacrifice of the 44 fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos who were killed during an ill-fated operation called Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last 2015.
Police Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said the activity aimed to show that the heroism and gallantry of the SAF 44 is not forgotten. The activity was simultaneously held with the National Headquarters and other Regional Offices throughout the country.
“As the PNP commemorates the heroism demonstrated by the 44 SAF Commandos who sacrificed their lives to capture one of the most wanted terrorist, Marwan, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Police Regional Office 11 will observe the National Day of Remembrance,” she said.
On January 25, 2015, the SAF troopers were killed while serving a warrant of arrest against the Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Proclamation No. 164 which declares that the 25th day of January of every year as the Day of National Remembrance for SAF 44, the elite force of the PNP who perished in a battle against the moro rebels.
Dela Cerna said as part of the commemorative program was the wreathlaying ceremony in PRO 11’s Bantayog ng mga Bayani attended by the police personnel of PRO 11 and led by PRO 11 Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) Police Senior Superintendent Jose Bayani Gucela together with the family of one of the slain SAF, SPO1 Lover S. Inocencio.
Inocencio hails from Panabo, Davao del Norte who was assigned in Manila.
“The PNP PRO 11 joins the nation in continually honoring departed SAF commandos. They were among the best of the PNP. Most of them are young decorated warriors, but most of all, they were heroes who willingly put themselves in danger to address threats to our security and gave their lives in the name of peace,” she said.
“The SAF 44 died meaningful deaths on the side of justice and righteousness. Their courage and devotion will forever be remembered and will serve as an inspiration for all police personnel to be more professional and passionate in ensuring the PNP’s mandate: To Serve and Protect,” she added.