MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday commemorated the heroism of the 44 police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died in a botched police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao five years ago.
“The Philippine National Police commemorates the gallantry and heroism of our young and brave 44 fallen Special Action Force commandos who sacrificed their lives to neutralize a most wanted terrorist, Zulkifli Abdhir,” PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said in a statement.
In 2015, the fallen 44 SAF commandos were deployed in hinterlands of Mamasapano, Maguindanao to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan.
Gamboa said the sacrifice of the 44 commandos will become an inspiration for the nation’s police force, which is leading the administration’s campaign against crime and illegal drugs.
“Their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten. Today, we honor their heroism and patriotism with deep pride as our inspiration to continue on our sworn duty to protect our people from lawless violence, criminal acts and illegal drugs that destroy the lives and future of our younger generation,” he said.
The country’s police force also sent its sympathy to the loved ones of the fallen SAF commandos, Gamboa said.
“To the families, friends, and relatives of SAF 44, we share with you the grief of losing beloved ones but their lives will always be remembered as pillars and heroes of this 205,000-strong and growing PNP family,” the PNP chief said.