Six of them were from the region
TACLOBAN CITY- The Philippine National Police (PNP) honored and remembered the six members of the Special Action Forces (SAF) from the region killed in 2015 by members of a terror group in Mindanao.
In a simple ceremony held at the regional headquarters of the PNP at the Camp Ruperto Kangleon in Palo town, Leyte, Police Major Israel Ephraim Dickson, director for personnel and records management (TDPRM), led in the laying of wreath at the ‘Bantayog ng Bayani ’monument located inside the said headquarters on Monday(Jan.25).
Of the 44 SAF members who were killed during an operation against terror group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front at Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan.25,2015, six of them were from the region.
They were PO1 Mark Clemencio; PO2 Glenn Bedua; PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla; PO2 Noel Balaca; PO2 Rodel Ramacula; and PO1 Joseph Sagonoy.
Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio presided a Eucharistic Mass in honor of the fallen SAF 44.
In his message, Police Regional Director B/Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus, gave his tribute to the SAF 44 as he instructed all the field unit of the PNP in the region to conduct public awareness to honor their gallantry.
“The story of the SAF 44 shall transcend time as it depicts the truest sense of heroism. The least that we can do now is to honor the sacrifice and memories of our fallen heroes who have died serving the country. May their respective families also find peace and healing,” he said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
