Makati grants P100K per ‘SAF 44’ family

MANILA, Philippines—Makati City has joined other local governments in Metro Manila in extending assistance to the families of the police commandos killed in the Jan. 25 clash with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province.

In a statement Thursday, City Hall said it had set aside P100,000 each for the families of the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) members. College scholarships in the city-run University of Makati will also be offered to their children, according to Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr.

“This is our humble way of honoring and showing our heartfelt gratitude for these heroes who remained true to their duty of safeguarding peace in our land up to their last breath,’’ the mayor said.

“We are opening the doors of the University of Makati to the children who have lost their fathers, especially those who are about to graduate from high school or are in college but may be hard up because of financial constraints.” The families of the SAF men wounded in the Mamasapano clash will also get P50,000 each from Makati.