Ex-SAF chief mourns loss of his former men

MANILA, Philippines – Having known personally the Special Action Forces members who perished in a “misencounter” in Maguindanao, former SAF director and now Metro Manila police chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of his former men.

“I know each one of them very well. I was with them during the Zamboanga siege. They [were] all well-trained and experienced,” the National Capital Region Police Office director told reporters on Monday.

At least 43 SAF members died in an intense firefight with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a breakaway group of the MILF in Barangay (village) Tukanalipao, Mamasapano Town on Sunday.

“They may have died but they accomplished their mission. Nalulungkot talaga tayo sa nangyari,” Valmoria said.

As former SAF leader, Valmoria led his troops into restoring peace and order in Zamboanga City during the government forces’ standoff with the Moro National Liberation Front.

Valmoria was replaced in December 2013 by Police Director Getulio Napenas.

In aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the hardest hit Tacloban City, Valmoria led SAF members who prevented widespread looting in commercial establishments there.

“They were all dedicated and committed to service. In fact, they were the officers, with Zamboanga policemen, involved on the first day of the standoff,” he said.

The SAF troops were out to arrest Jemaah Islamiyah leader and bomb-making expert Zulkifli Bin Hir, known as “Commander Marwan,” and Abdul Basit Usman, also a JI-trained bomber.

Valmoria confirmed that the SAF men had killed the Malaysian terrorist, Marwan.

“[On] behalf of the NCRPO and as former SAF director, I would like to extend our condolences to the families of the personnel who died while serving the country,” he added.