MANILA, Philippines—The unity run organized to showcase the unity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and to raise funds for the benefit of the families of the 44 police commandos slain in the Mamasapano encounter in January will push through today as scheduled and without interference.
This was announced by Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, founder of the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF) and governor of the organizing Rotary Club of Quezon City District 3780. The 3K, 5K and 10K runs will start at 5 a.m. at the Edsa People Power Monument and will enter Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the PNP and AFP, respectively. Entry fee is P500 for all categories.
“This Unity Run…will push through without any interference. There is no politics here.” Pagdilao said when asked if the charity run was authorized or discouraged by Malacañang.
“One Run: Run as One for SAF 44 Families” is a private sector initiative organized by the the Rotary District and the Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association.
“We felt that the issue of taking care of the families has taken a back seat to all the media hype, investigations and issues surrounding the Mamasapano incident. Let us focus on the immediate needs of the SAF families,” said Jesse Andres, president of Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang confirmed the AFP’s support for the event.
“We are dispelling any impression or notion that the Armed Forces and the PNP are not united. There exists a strong brotherly bond between the two institutions and together we will continue to protect the people.” He added that the different service branches of the Armed Forces will join the unity run side by side with the contingent from the Philippine National Police.”
The AMA Educational System has committed one scholarship for every 10 registered runners.
“We in the private sector must also provide tangible help aside from our sympathy. We must all show the relatives how we honor the sacrifice of the SAF troopers in keeping the peace that we all enjoy,” said Amable Aguiluz, AMA president.