Marcos: SAF 44's valor loses value if PH cedes territory to trespassers

SILANG, Cavite — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday honored the heroism of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members who perished in the infamous Mamasapano clash, saying their sacrifices would be devalued if the country cedes its territory to trespassers. 

Marcos made the remark during the commemoration of the National Remembrance of the Heroic Sacrifice of the SAF 44 held at the Philippine National Police Academy here. 

"In their last hours, in that place of honor, we can draw many important lessons: The lessons such as to put nation before self. To display courage under fire. To resolve to forge ahead. To never give up," Marcos said in a speech.

"We would also be disrespecting their memory if we give quarters to those who terrorize our people. We would be devaluing their valor if we cede our territory to those who would trespass upon it," he added. 

Marcos said the heroism and sacrifice of the SAF commandos would be the "debt that we will never be able to fully pay."

"It remains an obligation that we will never extinguish no matter how often we give meaning to their valor. So how do we pay homage to these brave men, whose gallantry no memorial can fully capture, whose courage no words can fully extol?" the President asked. 

"It is by working tirelessly to realize their dreams, for their families, for their children, for their comrades, for the people," he said.

In 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared January 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for the 44 members of the police's elite force who died in the bloody Mamasapano clash in 2015.

The fallen SAF commandos were part of the special mission to serve arrest warrants for ranking international terrorist and Malaysian bomber Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan.

But some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and local armed groups engaged them in a deadly encounter that resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people. —KBK, GMA Integrated News