3 years after Mamasapano tragedy, wounds still fresh for SAF 44 families
Late PO3 Noble Kiangan’s wife Christine and four-year-old son and namesake. Julliane Love de Jesus/INQUIRER.net
The first and last memory of four-year-old Noble Kiangan Jr. of his father was of “an airplane.”
“Whenever people ask him where his father was, he would always say, ‘sa airplane,’” Christine Kiangan, wife of late PO3 Noble Kiangan, told Inquirer in an interview on Thursday, Jan. 25, third anniversary of the deadly Mamasapano clash.
The first time Noble Jr. had a clear memory of his father, according to Christine, was when the casket of PO3 Kiangan and 43 other Special Action Force (SAF) commandos arrived at Villamor Airbase four days after the bloodbath in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Christine and the younger Noble were among the families who came to the SAF headquarters to celebrate the national day of remembrance for “SAF 44.”
Noble Jr. took pride in being a son of a cop. The boy wore a blue athletic shirt bearing words “Ang daddy ko pulis (my daddy is a police)” as Christine carried him in her arms throughout the program.
Three years after the raid, which was perhaps the bloodiest police operation in recent Philippine history, widows, children, mothers and fathers of slain troopers would still turn emotional whenever they are reminded of the tragedy.
Emotions were high as the memorial song filled the silence. A 21-gun salute was also rendered in honor of the fallen troopers.
Justice still elusive
Julie Cayang-o, wife of PO2 Gringo Cayang-O, gave a tearful message as she thanked President Duterte for giving importance to the slain SAF men.
“Masakit pa rin hanggang ngayon… Pero nakita ko ‘yung suporta niya [Duterte] sa families (It still hurts until now, but I see Duterte’s support for the families), he recognized this day as national day of remembrance and gave us medals of valor, kaya (that’s why) for us he’s a blessing from God,” Cayang-o said.
PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla’s mother Tely lamented that years have passed but justice remained elusive for the SAF 44.
In tears, Tely, who was one of those who filed charges against former President Aquino over the Mamasapano debacle, recalled seeing his son, arms severed and face contorted.
“Noong nakita ko siya, wala nang mga braso, ‘yung anak mo wala nang mga braso. OK lang kung pinagbabaril, pero ‘yung paglalaruan pa katawan, chop-chop-in…” Tely said.
(When I saw him, he had no arms; your child without arms. It would have been okay if he were shot, but his body was mutilated.)
No reinforcement
Former SAF chief Getulio Napeñas who led the planning of Oplan Exodus urged Aquino to “reflect” why he failed to send reinforcement to the dying troopers.
“Anong ginawa niya during the time na nangangailangan kami ng artillery support during the critical hours na nandoon sila sa Zamboanga?” he said.
(What did he do during the time when we needed artillery support during the critical hours when they were there in Zamboanga?)
Napeñas also stood firm that the operation against Malaysian terrorist Zukilfi Bin Hir or “Marwan” was “lawful and legitimate.”
“Inutos niya, sinunod namin kasi Presidente siya. Kayo na mag-husga,” he said.
(He ordered it, we followed because he was the President. It’s up to you to judge that.)
Aquino, along with Napeñas and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima, is facing graft and usurpation of authority charges in connection with the Mamasapano deaths. /je
