Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Friday said the Catholic Church shares with the nation’s “grief and pain” amid the brutal death of 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).
“The Archdiocese of Manila shares in the grief and pain of the whole nation at the tragic death of our brothers of the PNP-SAF in Maguindanao,” Tagle said in a statement. “We express our deep solidarity especially to their families and friends and all who belong to the wider family of the Philippine National Police.”
The 44 SAF men were killed during a “misencounter” in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, a known lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, on a mission to arrest terrorists.
Tagle also urged Catholics to pray even for the men responsible for the cops’ killing.
“Let us pray also for a change of heart in those who committed this inhuman act. As a people let us work for justice, truth, freedom (and) love so that true peace may reign. Let not precious lives be wasted again!” Tagle added.
President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday declared Friday a “national day of mourning” in honor of the slain elite cops.
As of posting, a necrological service for the fallen SAF personnel was being held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
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