More Metro LGUs give aid to grieving kin of ‘SAF 44’

MANILA, Philippines—Aid continues to pour for the “Fallen 44” courtesy of local governments in Metro Manila.

The Mandaluyong City government is allotting over P1 million in cash assistance to the families of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed and the 14 others wounded in the Jan. 25 clash with Moro rebels in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao province.

Councilor Charisse Abalos has drafted a resolution donating P20,000 each to the families of the slain SAF men and P10,000 each to the wounded members of the elite police team, according to public information office chief Jimmy Isidro,

Once approved by the council next week, the cash assistance would be drawn from the Office of the Mayor’s social fund and delivered to the families of the SAF members, Isidro said Tuesday.

In Quezon City, councilors pushed for a similar resolution providing financial assistance for the families of the commandos killed in Mamasapano.

“The government recognizes the heroic act of 44 gallant police officers who gave their lives so that we will have a safe and peaceful country to live in,” said the proposed measure by councilors Alexis Herrera, Lena Marie Juico and Dorothy Delarmente.

The draft resolution put the amount at P15,000 per family but it could still go higher depending on the forthcoming deliberation, said Herrera, who noted that the family of slain Quezon City policemen usually receives P30,000 in assistance from the local government.

Last week, the city government of Manila approved the release of P5 million for the same purpose. Jovic Yee and Rima Granali