Wife of fallen SAF commando on Noynoy, Purisima: ‘Dapat lang makulong sila’

Exactly three years have passed since that fateful day in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, yet it still seems like yesterday for the families of the 44 fallen commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF).

On Thursday, emotions gripped the commemoration of the National Day of Remembrance for the SAF 44 held at the PNP-SAF headquarters in Bicutan, Taguig.

Tears flowed as gunfire echoed in the background. Relatives and friends stood with bated breath as the melancholic sound of the playing of the taps filled the air.

“Very painful, from 2015 until now, lalo na pag dumarating ang ganitong araw, January 25, parang ngayon lang din nangyari,” an emotional Julie Cayang-o, widow of the late Police Officer 1 Gringo Cayang-o, said.

Cayang-o was asked to deliver a message on behalf of the families of the SAF 44.

Crying, she read from a prepared speech, talking about the pains and difficulties of seeking justice.

She put the blame of the Mamasapano debacle squarely on former President Benigno Aquino III and former PNP chief Alan Purisima. 

“Dapat lang talaga makulong sila,” Cayang-o said.

Aquino and Purisima are both facing criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the infamous clash. 

As the ceremony went on, Christine Kuyam Kiangan, widow of Police Office 2 Noble Kiangan, was seen quietly carrying her son, both giving each other a touching embrace every so often.

The mother vainly tried to hold back tears, looking at her son who appeared to be oblivious of what’s happening around him. 

Photo by Jun Veneracion

Oblivious he may seem, but the boy is one proud son. He came to the gathering wearing a shirt with prints that read “Daddy Ko Pulis.” Even at such very young age, the boy dreams of following in his father’s footsteps, according to his mother.

It’s not really the 25th of January that often brings sadness to the Kiangan family, but the month of October. “Tuwing Oktubre umuuwi siya, kasi birthday ng anak namin, birthday ko at wedding anniversary namin,” Christine said.

But for the last three years, there have been no October visits.

Christine admitted she hasn’t come to terms with reality. It’s a daily struggle, she said.

There can only be closure once justice is served. “Hanggang hindi natatapos ang kaso, hindi talaga 'yan matatapos. Kasi yun lang ang hinihintay, parang tuldok, “ she said.

Families and relatives are not the only ones still grieving. Their tears are shared by the brothers-in-arms, after all SAF is like one big family.

Senior Inspector Jonalyn Malnat, spokesperson of the PNP-SAF, said: “Hindi lang po kami nawalan ng kasama sa trabaho, nawalan din po kami ng kapatid. So, kung ano ang nararamdaman nilang grief ay ganun din po kami. So, kung naghahanap po sila ng hustisya para sa kanila, ganoon din po nararamdaman ng SAF.” — RSJ/KBK, GMA News