‘Marikina’s fallen’ honored in rites today

THE LOCAL government of Marikina is paying tribute today to police officers who died in the service of the city, honoring their work and sacrifices and citing them as models for the youth.

Police Memorial Day, which will be marked in a ceremony at Loyola Memorial Park, is a very important occasion for Marikeños as it is their way of “recognizing the heroism and sacrifices” of at least 115 fallen police officers, according to Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz.

Marikina is so far the only local government unit that has designated a day to honor lawmen who died in the line of duty, a tradition that started 28 years ago, Cadiz said.

The memorial rites will start at 6 a.m. with a march involving around 2,500 participants, from Freedom Park in Barangay Sta. Elena to the cemetery in Barangay Barangka.

The event was previously held on Sept. 8. In 2008, it was moved to the second Sunday of September so as not to cause weekday traffic jams.

“We have invited several individuals and groups because this is also a celebration of unity among the PNP (Philippine National Police), local government and the citizenry,” Cadiz told the Inquirer in interview last week.

Leni Robredo expected

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, along with city and barangay officials, will lead the march. Also expected to attend are the families of the fallen officers and active policemen, as well as students and members of various civil society organizations in Marikina.

In a statement, Mayor Del de Guzman said Robredo’s presence would convey “a deeper sense of empathy and meaning” to the families of the fallen policemen. The congresswoman is the widow of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash off the shores of Masbate province in August 2012.

“Grief is a life-long process, but it is somehow comforting when we share this sorrow with those who truly understand and empathize with us,” said De Guzman, who recently lost his wife and father to illnesses.

This year’s commemoration will also feature an exhibit at the cemetery highlighting the achievements of the PNP in Marikina.