School pays tribute to ‘Last Man Standing’

SEEKING JUSTICE Slain SAF officer Max Jim Tria’s eldest brother, Ace William, discusses the family’s quest for justice with Rep. Roman Romulo as the lawmaker’s wife, Shalani Soledad-Romulo, and Tria’s father, Senior Insp. Guillermo Tria listen. FERNAN GIANAN

In his olive green Special Action Force (SAF) uniform and black beret, Senior Insp. Max Jim R. Tria, reportedly the “last man standing” in the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash, calmly gazes at the camera, his youth preserved forever in a simple brown frame.

His is the 72nd frame in Catanduanes State University’s (CSU) Gallery of Distinction, his portrait hanging beside board topnotchers and academic achievers who brought honor to the institution founded in 1971.

CSU paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Tria, one of the fallen SAF 44, by dedicating a niche in the gallery for his portrait that was unveiled on March 15, shortly before its commencement exercise. Tria completed his elementary and high school education at CSU in 2005.

Established in 2014, the gallery on the second-floor lobby of the main building, displays 71 other portraits of the school’s finest students since 1979. It was created to honor their achievements so they may inspire others.

CSU President Minerva I. Morales, who read the dedication for Tria during the unveiling rites, said Tria’s family and alma mater continue to mourn his loss.

“May this simple gesture of remembering your valor ease the burdens from our hearts and allow us to draw strength from our prayer that the elusive peace for which you and your comrades sacrificed their lives for may one day be fully realized,” Morales said.

Rep. Roman T. Romulo, chair of the House committee on higher and technical education and a member of CSU’s board of regents, helped Morales unveil the portrait. He cited Tria’s bravery and was thankful to be given the chance to pay tribute to a hero, whose Catandunganon roots is also shared by his wife Shalani.

After the unveiling, Morales was joined by Aida A. Dianela, CSU vice president for academic affairs, and Aurora E. Araojo, vice president for research, extension and production affairs, in handing over the scroll containing the dedication for Tria to his family.

Tria’s elder brother, Ace William, who represented the family, echoed their appreciation for the academic institution’s gesture. He said the family continues to “cry for justice” and that their quest could only run its course once the truth about the Mamasapano incident is out and the finger-pointing stops.

“Only then shall we forgive and forget,” he said.

The Trias chose to bring home the remains of their loved one to his Virac hometown the morning after these arrived at Villamor Air Base, ahead of the Jan. 29 necrological service for the fallen SAF 44, where President Aquino delivered a eulogy.

Max Jim was buried with police honors in a small cemetery near their village on Feb. 7.