EVEN President Benigno Aquino III is dissatisfied with the delay in justice for the SAF 44.
He admitted this during the first anniversary of the controversial Mamasapano operation.
“Ako man ay naiinip sa pag-usad ng sistemang pangkatarungan,” he said during the event dubbed “Commemoration of Heroism of the Gallant SAF 44.”
(I am also becoming impatient with the proceedings of our justice system.)
Justice delayed
“Ika nga, justice delayed is justice denied,” he told the relatives of the SAF 44.
(As they say, justice delayed is justice denied.)
“Hindi maghihilom ang sugat sa nangyaring trahedya kung, isang taon na ang nakalipas, ay mailap pa rin ang hustisya sa kanilang pagkamatay. Ang tanong bakit hanggang ngayon bakit hindi pa napapanagot ang dapat managot,” he said.
(The wound caused by the tragedy will not heal, even a year after, if justice is elusive. The question is, why until now those who are guilty have not been made accountable.)
“Makakaasa kayo, kasabay ng pagsigurong nabibigyan ng suporta ang pamilya ng SAF 44, puspusan ang ating pagsisikap para makamit ang hustisya,” Aquino said.
(You can rely on me, that with our promise to support the families of the SAF 44, we are working hard to attain justice.)
Amend PNP Law?
Lawmakers earlier urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite its preliminary investigation and file cases against those responsible for the deaths of the SAF 44. Last year, the DOJ filed complains of direct assault with murder against 90 people supposedly involved in the encounter. However, the agency has yet to rule on whether there is probable cause to file criminal charges against them in court.
READ: Cases vs massacre suspects hang in DOJ
The SAF 44 are the 44 Special Action Force troopers who died in combat after neutralizing international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. More than 60 people, including the SAF 44, were killed during the ensuing misencounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other armed groups.
During the event, Aquino called on Congress to study the PNP Law to identify provisions that prevented immediate punishment of leaders who were not able to perform their duty.
“Ayaw po nating maulit ang mga trahedyang dulot lamang ng pagsuway sa mga patakaran. Hindi makatwirang magpatuloy ang sistema kung saan may karaniwang indibidwal na pumapasan ng mas mabibigat na obligasyon dahil sa kapabayaan ng iilan,” he said.
(We don’t want another tragedy, caused by disobedience, happening. It is not reasonable to continue a system that allows an individual to be burdened of heavy obligations just because of the negligence of some people.)
Heroes
In his speech, Aquino lauded the heroic acts of the SAF troopers, especially Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi and PO2 Romeo Cempron.
The families of Tabdi and Cempron received their Medals of Valor from Aquino during the event.
Tabdi led the SAF unit that assaulted Marwan’s hut. He was also the one who cut off the terrorist’s finger for DNA analysis. Cempron, on the other hand, risked his life so that PO2 Christopher Lalan could escape.
Aquino said Tabdi served as a “source of strength and inspiration” of his comrades.
“Sugatan man, pagod, at uhaw, mahusay pa rin niyang pinamunuan ang pangkat upang matapatan ang puwersa ng kalaban, dehado man sila sa bilang,” he said.
(Even if he was injured, tired and thirsty, he skillfully led his group against the enemy, despite being at a disadvantage.)
Meanwhile, Cempron showed courage in his attempt to save the lives of his fellow troopers.
“Hanggang sa dulo hindi sya sumuko. Iniharang nya ang katawan sa mga bala upang makaligtas ang mga kasamahan,” Aquino said in his speech
(Until the very end he did not give up. He used his own body to block the enemies’ bullets in order to save his comrades.)
The President said the SAF troopers were the pride of the nation.
“Bukod-tangi ang pag-aalay nila ng buhay hindi lang para sa mga kasamahan, hindi lang para sa PNP, kundi pati na rin sa buong bansa,” he said.
(Their sacrifice is special because they did not do it just for their comrades, not just for the PNP, but for the whole nation.)
He reiterated that their families will be taken care off and will benefit from livelihood and employment assistance, financial help, educational assistance, housing, and healthcare.
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