Maguindanao congressman wants January 25 declared National Day of Mourning

A lawmaker from Mindanao is seeking the declaration of January 25 of every year as a National Day of Mourning for the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members killed in an encounter with Moro rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.

 

Maguindanao 2nd  District Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu filed House Bill 6320 days before the January 25 anniversary of the Mamasapano incident, where the 44 SAF members were ambushed after neutralizing suspected terrorist Zulkifli Binhir in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamapano.

 

"The SAF troopers' death should not be put to naught and the entire nation must remember the day they lost their lives in service to the country and furtherance of peace," said Mangudadatu.

 

The congressman submitted the bill to the House Committee on public order and safety.

 

"The news [of the SAF member's killing] broke the hearts of not only Filipinos but also other nationalities, as videos of how our elite policemen were mercilessly killed, went viral. The SAF 44 heroically gave up their lives after successfully neutralizing one of the world's most dangerous terrorists," said Mangudadatu.

 

Under the bill, the 44 SAF members should be commemorated during the date.

 

The slain elite policemen were:

 

 

—ALG, GMA News