CEBU CITY, Philippines—The Cebu Ultra runners Club (CUC) will hold a tribute run for the 44 slain Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos today starting at the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds.
CUC president Tony Galon told Cebu Daily News yesterday that he and some members of the running group will run 44 kilometers to honor the fallen 44 PNP-SAF commandos who were killed in battle in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.
According to Galon, running 44 kilometers is the best way he and the group could pay tribute and share the grief of the family, friends and comrades of the fallen heroes.
“We feel their pain also,” Galon said. “We are also downed when we heard the news about the massacre. The government lacks the action that is really needed to be taken. I think this run is our way of giving honor to their great sacrifice for our nation. We salute each and every one of the 44 PNP-SAF personnel who sacrificed their life for peace.”
Galon said while 10 members of CUC have already committed to join the run today, he is extending the invitation to other runners, including non-CUC members, to join the tribute run that will traverse Fuente Osmeña, General Maxilom Avenue going to Mandaue City, all the way to the turning point at the foot of the old Mandaue-Mactan bridge.
“It’s open to everyone. We could have drawn more runners but a lot of our members have work so we were unable to draw a larger turnout to join us in the run,” Galon said.
After the run, Galon and the participating runners will light 44 candles to mourn the loss of the police commandos.
This isn’t the first time CUC has held a tribute run. Last year, it also held one for the slain multi-titled long distance runner Melinda Ponce.