Pictures of the slain PNP SAF killed in an alleged “misencounter” with MILF and BIFF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao displayed outside the gates of Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
MANILA, Philippines—Despite his young age, a 10-year-old boy said he wants to be a policeman someday so he could take revenge against the killers of his cousin, one of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force killed during a mission to arrest terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
“Gusto kong maging pulis para magantihan ko ‘yung mga pumatay sa kanila (I want to be a policeman so I can retaliate against those who killed them),” the boy told INQUIRER.net.
“Ewan ko eh. Pero gaganti ako sa nanakit sa kanya (I don’t know, but I will go after those who hurt him),” he said when asked whom he will retaliate against.
Together with their parents, he and his sister looked at the tarpaulin of their fallen cousin while waiting outside the multipurpose hall of Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, where a necrological service for 42 of the 44 slain SAF men was being held.
“Malungkot kami syempre. Umiyak kami noong nakita na lang namin siya noong arrival (We are sad of course. We cried during the arrival honors),” recalled the boy.
The caskets of their cousin and 41 others draped with the Philippine flag were flown in to Manila on Thursday. Their remains were brought to SAF’s home in Bagong Diwa for public viewing and the ongoing necrological service.
“Hindi po patas ‘yung nangyari sa kanila (What happened to them was not fair). MILF at BIFF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedon Fighters)? Two versus one?” the boy’s 14-year-old sister lamented.
For the fallen SAF man’s young cousins, he may have died in line with his duty, but the bloodshed wrought by the bungled operation was utterly wrong.
“Hindi po talaga tama. ‘Yung mga terorista walang awa (It wasn’t right. The terrorists were merciless),” she added.
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