BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) paid tribute to the bravery of the SAF 44 on Thursday, January 25.
POLICE Col. Leo Pamittan, Negros Occidental police director, leads the Day of National Remembrance
for SAF 44 at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) headquarters in Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City on Thursday, January 25. (Photo courtesy of Nocppo)
The Nocppo led by Police Col. Leo Pamittan offered flowers and prayers to the fallen commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.
“It is but fitting to commemorate their gallantry,” Pamittan said in a media interview after the Day of National Remembrance ceremony at the Nocppo headquarters in Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania here.
Other police offices in the country also paid tribute to the SAF 44.
On that fateful day nine years ago, SAF commandos carried out a law enforcement operation against two high-value targets, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and terrorist Abdul Basit Usman.
They were able to kill Marwan but failed to get Usman who was later killed in another operation.
On their way out, a firefight occurred which eventually trapped 45 SAF personnel, with only one surviving after swimming in a creek and hiding in bushes on his way out.
The fallen heroes gave their lives so that the people could live in freedom and safety in their own homes, the Noccpo said.
May the memories of the Gallant 44 strengthen our faith in God and continue to inspire us of our sworn duty to protect the public from lawless elements despite the odds and difficulties, it added.