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Napolcom OKs posthumous promotion for SAF 44
(UPDATED 10:04 p.m.) The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the posthumous promotion of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos killed in the January 25 clash with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
In a statement released Friday, the Napolcom approved the promotion after Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), made the recommendation.
It said the SAF commandos were promoted “for demonstrating acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action at the risk of their lives over and beyond the call of duty that resulted in their untimely death.”
The fatalities were part of a large SAF contingent sent to Mamasapano to arrest two high-profile terrorist targets. The covert operation, however, led to clash with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway group the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Interior and Secretary Mar Roxas, who chairs Napolcom, noted that although outnumbered by “a superior enemy force,” the SAF commandos “held their ground, fought up to their last breath and accomplished their mission.”
Benefits
Meanwhile, the statement also quoted Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta as saying that the legal spouses of the 28 married SAF members and a legitimate child of one trooper shall receive the following:
-- gratuity equivalent to one (1) year basic salary,
-- burial expenses equivalent to three (3) months basic salary, and
-- monthly pension for five (5) years equivalent to 80 percent of the decedent’s basic monthly pay.
On the other hand, it said the surviving parents of 12 single SAF personnel shall receive the following:
-- gratuity equivalent to one (1) year basic salary and
-- burial expenses equivalent to three (3) months basic salary.
The illegitimate children of three SAF members, who were single but without surviving parents, shall receive the same benefits, it added.
The benefits will be granted under Republic Act No. 6963 or the “Act Granting Special Financial Assistance And Benefits to the Family or Beneficiary of any Police or Military Personnel or Fireman Killed or Permanently Incapacitated while in the Performance of his Duty or By Reason of His Office or Position and for Other Purposes.”
Survivors honored
The honorees also received P10,000 each.
Mission accomplished
In a statement released Friday, the Napolcom approved the promotion after Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), made the recommendation.
It said the SAF commandos were promoted “for demonstrating acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action at the risk of their lives over and beyond the call of duty that resulted in their untimely death.”
The fatalities were part of a large SAF contingent sent to Mamasapano to arrest two high-profile terrorist targets. The covert operation, however, led to clash with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its breakaway group the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Interior and Secretary Mar Roxas, who chairs Napolcom, noted that although outnumbered by “a superior enemy force,” the SAF commandos “held their ground, fought up to their last breath and accomplished their mission.”
Benefits
Meanwhile, the statement also quoted Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta as saying that the legal spouses of the 28 married SAF members and a legitimate child of one trooper shall receive the following:
-- gratuity equivalent to one (1) year basic salary,
-- burial expenses equivalent to three (3) months basic salary, and
-- monthly pension for five (5) years equivalent to 80 percent of the decedent’s basic monthly pay.
On the other hand, it said the surviving parents of 12 single SAF personnel shall receive the following:
-- gratuity equivalent to one (1) year basic salary and
-- burial expenses equivalent to three (3) months basic salary.
The illegitimate children of three SAF members, who were single but without surviving parents, shall receive the same benefits, it added.
The benefits will be granted under Republic Act No. 6963 or the “Act Granting Special Financial Assistance And Benefits to the Family or Beneficiary of any Police or Military Personnel or Fireman Killed or Permanently Incapacitated while in the Performance of his Duty or By Reason of His Office or Position and for Other Purposes.”
Survivors honored
The National Police Commission and the Philippine National Police on Friday honored 15 survivors of the Mamasapano mission.
Fourteen survivors from the 84th Special Action Company which neutralized suspected terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan were recognized.
"[For] his exemplary display of conspicous courage and gallantry while performing law enforcement action as a member of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force particularly in the service of the warrant of arrest against international terrorist a.k.a. Marwan," read the commendation.
Also honored was PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone survivor of the 55th Special Action Company that was supposed to serve as the blocking force for the members of the 84th SAC.
The honorees also received P10,000 each.
The rites weren't open for video coverage but GMA News was allowed to air portions of the audio recording of the proceedings.
Mission accomplished
"Kami po, sampu ng aking mga kasama, ay lubos na pagsasalamat sa pagpupugay at pagkilala. Mission accomplished po ang Oplan Exodus," said a member of the 84th SAC.
"Sa mga kasamahan po naming Gallant 44, ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang pagdarasal para sa kanilang katahimikan. sa inyo pong patuloy na pagkilala at pagpupugay, unti unti pong naghihilom ang aming mga sugat, sakatawan, sa isipan, at sa puso," he added.
Before the program ended, the SAF survivors made a tribute to their slain compatriots by heading outside the Jessie Robredo Hall to sing "Habang May Buhay" through tears.
"People do not understand us, pero we are family. Kung mamatayan ka ng kapatid, assuming na maayos ang relationship niyo dun sa kapatid mo, iiyak ka ba? Ganuon yun," PNP SAF director Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo said. —with a report from Rie Takumi/KBK/NB, GMA News
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