SAF commandos from Marawi respond with finger hearts to heroes’ welcome

Members of the Special Action Force who saw action in the government's five-month campaign to rid Marawi of Maute-ISIS bandits received a rousing welcome from their families and comrades-in-arms at their headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on Wednesday.

Super Radyo dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo tweeted videos and photos showing how the returning police commandos were greeted with the recently popular accolades "lodi" or idol and "petmalu".

The troopers gamely responded with the equally trendy finger heart hand gestures.

Nakaantabay sa labas at loob ng Camp Bagong Diwa ang mga sasalubong sa umuwing SAF troopers buhat sa Marawi City @dzbb pic.twitter.com/jQUmTJFPEA

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

Nagmamartsa ngayon papasok ng Camp Bagong Diwa ang SAF Troopers buhat na lumaban sa Marawi @dzbb pic.twitter.com/DTLJLxLIdK

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

Mainit na sinalubong ang mga bayaning SAF troopers sa Camp Bagong Diwa @dzbb pic.twitter.com/QcV6kF2L8h

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

Mga salitang petmalu, lodi, oppa ang salubong ng mga kabataan sa SAF Troopers na nag-finger heart din @dzbb pic.twitter.com/E0uJvBCUB4

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

The welcome ceremony for the PNP-SAF also became emotional as they reunited with their relatives and loved ones.

Police Officer 1 Ramon Moral Jr. was speechless, but happy that he is now carrying his grandson after the five-month battle in Marawi City.

Karga ng SAF trooper ang kaniyang apo na naka-pampulis na T-shirt @dzbb pic.twitter.com/MFc8AyYLNy

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

PO1 Ramon Moral Jr. masaya na kapiling ang pamilya matapos ang 5 buwang destino sa Marawi @dzbb pic.twitter.com/bdJK9VdRiL

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

Meanwhile, a two-year-old kid was not able to recognize his father after seven months of not seeing each other. The SAF trooper said before he left, his son still recognized him.

Hindi na makilala ng 2-anyos na anak ang SAF trooper na 5 buwan sa Marawi @dzbb pic.twitter.com/H2zRtQ1xkk

— Nimfa R. Ravelo (@nimfaravelo) October 25, 2017

On October 23, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana declared an end to the clashes between government forces and Maute group in Marawi City. —NB, GMA News