Other SAF 44 families also want medals of valor

Families of some of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos believe that justice and recognition from the government over the Mamasapano incident remain elusive for the fallen policemen.

Delia Senin, mother of the SAF 44's Police Officer 2 Romeo Senin, said they were expecting that her son would be given a posthumous Medal of Valor award on the first anniversary of the January 25 Mamasapano incident.

"Iyan ang masakit. Sila lahat ang namatay dapat parehas sila nang matanggap. Hindi isa o dalawa lang ang makatanggap nang ganun. Yan ang inasahan ng lahat ng pamilya na matatanggap, iyong medal of valor," Senin said.

Boy Agabon, father of Police Officer 2 Chum Agabon, also one of the fallen SAF members, said they will not attend the awarding ceremony at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday.

"Unfair ang ginawa nila. Patay sila eh. Bakit selected lang ang ginawa nila na award na ibinigay?" he said.

Senior Inspector Cyrus Anniban's father also felt bad that his son will not receive the medal of valor award.

President Benigno Aquino III is expected to confer the Medal of Valor award to the families of Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron.

The remaining 42 slain SAF members will posthumously receive the PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal awards.

Agabon's father also said that his son's wife, Cornellie, was given by the government a job as a nurse in Iligan City.

However, he said Cornellie does not receive her salary on time.

Agabon's wife is planning to look for a job overseas.

The SAF man's father also belied the government's claim that they have received financial aid and benefits from the government.

Malacañang said Sunday that the families of the SAF 44 have received P188,338,464.99 in assistance and benefits from the government.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that even the extended families of the SAF 44 received aid from the government.

The families of Police Officer 2 Omar Nacionales in Marcos, Ilocos Norte and Police Officer 3 Jedz-in Asjali are also still crying justice for the SAF 44's killing.

Their families are in favor of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs' reopening of the Mamasapano probe.

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile sought the reopening of the Mamasapano probe, claiming he has evidence that Aquino was directly involved in the Mamasapano mission.

The Senate panel, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, had submitted last year its report on the probe, which found Aquino "ultimately responsible" for the Mamasapano mission.

The Mamasapano probe will reopen on Wednesday, January 27. —report from Mariz Umali/ALG, GMA News