SAF 44 widows, kin see glimmer of hope in quest for justice

National Capital Regional Police Offic Police Director Oscar Albayalde (left), PNP Chief of Directorial Staff Police Deputy Director General Archie Francisco Gamboa and SAF Director Police Director Noli Talino offer flowers at the marker inside the camp of Special Action Force in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City on Thursday, January 25, to honor the heroism and sacrifice of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province operations exactly three years ago. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

Widows and kin of 44 police commandos who died in fighting with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, three years ago said on Thursday that they were beginning to see justice being done for their husbands with the filing of charges against the officials they believed were responsible for the debacle.

Those officials include former President Benigno Aquino III and former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima.

Speaking for the widows during the commemoration of the third anniversary of the Mamasapano massacre at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Julie Cayang-o, whose husband, PO1 Gringo Charag Cayang-o, was killed in the clash, said “we believe . . . that perfect day will come [when we] punish those people involved in that unacceptable day.”

Day of remembrance

President Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 164 designating Jan. 25 every year as Day of National Remembrance for the 44 commandos from the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).

At Thursday’s ceremony, SAF Director Noli Taliño, who was returned to the unit on Jan. 18, called for the continuation of the fight against terrorism to achieve long-lasting peace for which the SAF 44 died.

“Let [the SAF 44’s] sacrifice blaze our spirits,” Taliño said. “Troopers never die. They just fade away.”

Sen. Grace Poe urged people not to forget the lessons of Mamasapano.

“The lessons of Mamasapano, including the need for justice, should not be buried with the dead,” she said.

Zamboanga ceremony

In Zamboanga City, the Mamasapano massacre was commemorated on Thursday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery where some of the SAF 44 are buried.

The widows of the SAF officers buried there attended the ceremony.

“It was like yesterday. I can still hear his voice, his laughter. I was six months pregnant when he was killed. Somehow we are happy that many still remember their sacrifices,” said Lhea Tabdi, widow of Chief Insp. Gednat Tabdi.

Erica Pabalinas, wife of Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, said that while the widows were trying to move on, their ultimate goal was “to see the culprits behind bars.”