PNP commemorates death of 44 commandos in Mamasapano

January 25, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday remembered the death of the 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) who sacrificed their life in an encounter against local and foreign terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province in 2015.

The commemoration was led by PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde in memorial honors at the Special Action Force Memorial Park in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Albayalde, along with National Capital Region Police Director Guillermo Eleazar, led the wreath-laying ceremony.

Also present at the wreath-laying ceremony were SAF Acting Director Chief Supt. Amado Empiso, PNP Chaplain, Superintendent Ronie Arong and Deputy Director Sr. Supt. Manuel Manolo.

"They accomplished their mission as true blue SAF troopers always do, but this time at the cost of their young lives," Albyalde said in his speech.

Albayalde told the family and relatives of fallen SAF 44 that the sacrifices the troops made are "never be in vain".

A 44-kilometer bike ride from Luneta Park in Manila to Sta. Rosa, Laguna will be conducted on January 27 in remembrance for the SAF 44.

On January 25, 2015, forty-four SAF commandos belonging to the 455th and 84th Special Action Companies were killed in line of duty during a police operation on a terrorist lair in Mamasapano, Maguindanao after they neutralized Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkipli Bin Hir alias Marwan.

Presidential Proclamation No. 164 issued by President Rodrgigo Duterte on February 21, 2017, declared January 25 of as National Day of Remembrance in honor of the heroic death of the 44 police commandos. Ella Dionisio/DMS