Families of SAF 44 pay tribute in Baguio as death anniversary nears

The widows and relatives of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force troopers killed in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao observed in Baguio City on Saturday the upcoming first year anniversary of the tragedy, a report on News To Go on Monday said.

They first marched from Session Road to Ibaloi Park where they had a short ceremony.

The group also held a boodle fight to symbolize the grieving families' unity.

The families are calling for justice for the "Fallen Cordilleran Fourteen"—SAF troopers who were from the Cordillera region.

"Wala pa naman pong hustisya eh. Kaya masakit pa hanggang ngayon. Wala po akong masabi, dahil talagang mahirap. Masakit lang sa amin," said Felicitas Nacino, mother of PO2 Nicky Nacino, one of the fallen troopers.

"Hinayaan ko ang gobyerno natin sa kaso ng SAF 44 dahil ano pa man ay may tiwala pa rin ako sa ating gobyerno at sa hustiyang ating hinahangad hanggang ngayon," said Erica Pabalinas, wife of Sr. Supt. Ryan Pabalinas, in a speech during the event.

The families also went to the memorial site at Mt. Sto. Tomas and planted seedlings.

Forty-four SAF troopers were killed on January 25, 2015 when they launched an operation to serve arrest warrants on terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Commander Marwan and Malaysian bomb maker Amin Baco alias Jihad.

The elite police troopers were caught in a gunfight with forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Frong and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The Senate is set to reopen an investigation of the incident on January 27. —KG, GMA News