The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) honored the fallen SAF 44 heroes through a commemorative program held Tuesday, January 25, at the PRO-9 parade grounds and the Bigkis-Lahi Multipurpose Hall in Camp Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City.
PRO-9 Director P/Brig Gen. Franco Simborio hosted the commemoration of the Day of National Remembrance with the theme, “The Dedication and Sacrifice of the Men of Valor is the Pinnacle of Patriotism.”
P/Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, Commander, APC-WM, attended as the guest of honor and speaker.
“Today, we pause to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifices for this nation, especially the 44 fallen brave Special Action Commandos. This commemoration is the day where we ought to reflect for their unselfish deeds for our country which symbolizes the heart of a true warrior. Though, we cannot repay their heroism, yet, they will always be remembered in our hearts for they fought bravely up to their last breath”.
The program started with a Eucharistic mass followed by a wreath laying ceremony, volley firing and the sounding of Taps led by Gen. Simborio, Lt.Gen. Malayo and Erica Pabalinas, wife of the late P/Maj. Pabalinas.
The ceremony was also attended by the families of the late SAF troopers P/Maj. Gednat G. Tabdi; PCpt. Joey Gamutan; PSMS Jedz-in A. Asjali, PSSg Amman Esmula, PSSg Josel Dulnuan and PSSG Walner Danao.
Forty-four members of the Special Action Force (SAF) were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao during a mission on January 25, 2015 to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir aka Marwan.