Widow of fallen SAF 44 cop hopes for reopening of case

The widow of one of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) police officers who was killed in the 2015 Mamasapano clash was hoping that the investigation on the case would be reopened.

According to Mariz Umali’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” Roselle Nacino, widow of SAF commando Nicky Nacino Jr., was still seeking justice for her husband and the other cops who were slain in the clash.

“Sana mabigyan din po ulit ng pansin, mabuksan po ulit ‘yong kaso,” Roselle said.

She also recalled the pain when she learned of her husband's death.

“My son, who is six years old now, never had the chance of even seeing the face of his tatay. You can just imagine the pain I felt when I came to know my husband’s death,” Roselle said.

In January 2015, the SAF police commandos were sent to Mamasapano to neutralize Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli Bin-hir alias Marwan and Filipino bandit leader Basit Usman.

Despite neutralizing Marwan, the troops were ambushed by gunmen of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other armed groups in the area.

The SAF troopers perished as they attempted to move out of the area. Eighteen Moro fighters and five civilians also died in the clash.

Former President Benigno Aquino III, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former SAF director Getulio Napeñas Jr. later faced charges of graft and usurpation of official functions before the Sandiganbayan over the botched police operation.

In August 2019, the Sandiganbayan dropped the cases against Aquino following the request of Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the former president.

On January 21, 2020, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Purisima and Napeñas of graft and usurpation charges over the botched operation due to lack of evidence. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News