PNoy meets SAF 44 kin a year after Mamasapano tragedy

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday morning met with the families of the elite police commandos who died during the bloody Mamasapano tragedy last year.

In a statement sent to reporters, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Aquino discussed the implementation of the government's aid extended to the families.

"They are discussing the implementation of various forms of assistance extended by the government such as: housing, education, employment and livelihood assistance," said Coloma.

"The President has instructed concerned government officials to exert all efforts to extend the needed assistance to the families. Meeting started at 11 am and is still ongoing," he added.

Aquino initiated the conduct of the meeting after he awarded the posthumous Medal of Valor and Distinguished Conduct Medal to members of the SAF 44 in a ceremony at the PNP headquarters in Quezon City.

Coloma noted that Monday's meeting is the third time that Aquino met with the victims' kin.

He previously met with the families in Camp Bagong Diwa on January 30, 2015 and in February 2015.

The awarding marked the first anniversary of the January 25 Mamasapano encounter, which led to the deaths of 44 SAF members.

The police operation was meant to neutralize Indonesian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb expert Abdul Basit Usman. The SAF members were ambushed by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. —ALG, GMA News