Posthumous promotion for SAF commandos

MANILA, Philippines—The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has confirmed the posthumous promotion of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed during the Jan. 25 operation against Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, a.k.a. “Marwan,” in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The special posthumous meritorious promotion cited the 44 SAF troopers for “demonstrating acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action at the risk of their lives over and beyond the call of duty,” ending in death.

This means that the 44 SAF commandos will be promoted to the next higher rank.

The Napolcom approved the promotion of Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas and 43 other policemen killed in the Jan. 25 Mamasapano encounter with Moro rebels, upon the recommendation of Philippine National Police (PNP) officer in charge Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina.

The slain troopers were part of the 55th and 84th Special Action Company of the SAF which served the warrants of arrest against the Malaysian bomb maker and his Filipino cohort Basit Usman.

During the operation, they encountered fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), during which 44 SAF troopers were killed and 15 were injured.

“The courage displayed by these valiant police officers earned themselves not only the admiration of the members of the PNP but also of the people they had sworn to serve,” Napolcom chair and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said.

Roxas also assured the families of the slain commandos that they will receive Napolcom’s full assistance at the soonest possible time.

Napolcom vice chair and executive officer Eduardo Escueta said the legal spouses of the 28 married SAF members will receive gratuity equivalent to one year’s basic salary, burial expenses equivalent to three months’ basic salary and monthly pension for five years equivalent to 80 percent of the basic pay.

The minor legitimate child of one SAF member will also receive the same benefits.