‘Behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife’

UNSPEAKABLE GRIEF President Aquino lends an ear to those who have lost their dearest and nearest before the necrological rites for 44 members of the Special Action Force slaughtered by Moro rebels. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

(Editor’s Note: The following is the full text of the response of Erica Pabalinas, widow of Special Action Force member Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, on behalf of the bereaved families of the Fallen 44.)

TO OUR PRESIDENT, President [Benigno] Aquino and to all police officers, to my fellow families who are grieving right now as we are, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I am very much unsure of what I am feeling right now. Should I be sad that I lost my husband or should I feel happy and proud that he fought to his last breath not only for peace in Mindanao but for the entire nation?

My husband gave his life to claim peace. He placed service to the people before anything else.

I remember before he left the house, naglalambing ako sa kanya, sabi ko, “Daddy, huwag ka na lang po sumama dahil hindi ka pa okay.” Then he replied, “Mommy, ayan ka na naman, hindi mo na naman naiintindihan.”

Then our little girl said to him, “Daddy, huwag ka na lang umalis kasi gabi na. Baka kunin ka lang po ng mga bad guys.”

Despite (this), Ryan left. It is a clear manifestation that my husband put duty first before family, and I understand.

Slowly, I accept that my husband can’t be with us anymore, consoling myself that he died a hero. It is painful though. All I ask right now is justice. Not only for my husband (who) was brutally killed but for everyone who fought and fell.

Let us not put into our minds that my husband and his men pursued the operation because of the tag price on top of the heads of the lawless elements. Because if just for that, we could have been richer. Because I know for a fact that my husband has been (through a lot of the same situation).

For the grieving wives, just like me, let us be strong for our children. Because behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife. To our President, we seek for your help to attain justice. Please, Sir President, please help us.

Erica Pabalinas, widow of Police Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, mourns before the flag-draped coffin of her late husband, who along with 43 others perished last Sunday during the Philippines’ biggest single-day combat loss in recent years, at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig city, south of Manila, Philippines, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. AP

Originally posted: 2:46 PM | Friday, January 30th, 2015

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