Declaration of National Day of Mourning for ‘Fallen 44’ pushed
The vice chairman of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs yesterday pushed for the declaration of January 25 as National Day of Mourning in memory of 44 Philippine National Police –Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos killed in the bloody skirmish with rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last year.
Maguindanao Rep. Zajid G. Mangudadatu filed House Bill 6320, proposing to declare January 25 of every year as a National Day of Mourning to remember the 44 brave and heroic members of the PNP-SAF.
“The SAF troopers’ death should not be put to naught and the entire nation must remember the day they lost their lives in service to the country and furtherance of peace,” he said.
BBL in peril, but… Meantime, the Senate’s reopening of its inquiry on the Mamasapano skirmish would further dim the chances of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to be passed by Congress before President Aquino steps down in June, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.
“At the very least, it might delay consideration by the Senate plenary, and that could be fatal to the bill given the time constraint,” he said in an interview.
He maintained that an all-party caucus is needed to muster support for the passage of the BBL this 16th Congress, admitting that they are racing against time to approve the Malacañang’s priority measure.
He assured that the leadership would exhaust all means to address the quorum problems infesting the plenary.
Both Belmonte and Senate President Franklin Drilon stood firm that the BBL is not yet dead this 16th Congress.
Heartbreaking Rep.Mangudadatu noted the global community also mourned over the bloody anti-terror raid that cost the lives of the 44 police commandos.
“The news broke the hearts of not only Filipinos but also other nationalities, as videos of how our elite policemen were mercilessly killed, went viral. The SAF 44 heroically gave up their lives after successfully neutralizing one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists,” Mangudadatu said.
He expressed hope that the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, headed by Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, would immediately act on his measure when Congress resumes session this week.
Heroes remembered
“The lives of the SAF 44 shall always be remembered and commemorated on the National Day of Mourning,” Mangudadatu said.
The “Fallen 44” were Sr. Insp. Ryan Ballesteros Pabalinas; Sr. Insp. John Garry Alcantara Erana; Sr. Insp.
Max Jim Ramirez Tria; Sr. Insp. Cyrus Paleyan Anniban; Sr. Insp. Gednat G. Tabdi; Insp. Joey Sacristan Gamutan; Insp. Rennie Tayrus; SPO1 Lover L. Inocencio; PO3 Rodrigo F. Acob Jr.; PO3 Vergel S. Villanueva; PO3 Andres Viernes Duque Jr.; PO3 Vitoriano Nacion Acain; PO3 Noel Onangey Golocan; PO3 Junrel Narvas Kibete; PO3 Jed-In Abubakar Asjali; PO3 Robert Dommolog Aliaga; PO3 John Lloyd Rebammonte Sumbilla; PO2 Amman Misuari Esmulla; PO2 Peterson I. Carap; PO2 Roger C. Cordero; PO2 Nicky DC Nacino Jr.; PO2 Glenn Berecio Badua; PO2 Chum Goc-Ong Agabon; PO2 Richelle Salangan Baluga; PO2 Noel Nebrida Balaca; PO2 Joel Bimidang Dulnuan; PO2 Godofredo Basak Cabanlet; PO2 Franklin Cadap Danao; PO2 Walner Faustino Danao; PO2 Jerry Dailay Kayob; PO2 Noble Sungay Kiangan; PO2 Ephraim G. Mejia; PO2 Omar Agacer Nacionales; PO2 Rodel Eva Ramacula; PO2 Romeo Valles Senin II; PO1 Russel Bawaan Bilog; PO1 Angel C. Kodiamat; PO1 Windell Llano Candano; PO1 Loreto Guyab Capinding; PO1 Gringo Charag Cayang-o; PO1 Romeo Cumanoy Cempron; PO1 Mark Lory Orloque Clemencio; PO1 Joseph Gumatay Sagonoy and PO1 Oliebeth Ligutan Viernes.