Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City
30 January 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the bereaved families of all 44 Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) slain officers that justice will be served and that their deaths will not be in vain, during the Necrological Service held at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

The emotionally-charged event drove many to tears with eulogies from PNP-SAF Supt. Noli Taliño recounting the last moments he had contact with the 55th Company of the 5th special action battalion led by Police Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, and the eulogy from Pabalinas’ wife, Erica Pabalinas, begging the President for help and justice.

President Aquino, in response, said that he will do all he can to bring justice. Topping the list of his priorities is the capture of Abdul Basit Usman, one of the international terrorists being hunted down by both the Armed Forces and PNP. The government, he added, is devising an infallible operation that will lead to Usman’s capture. The board of inquiry (BOI), which he had formed, will bring truth and identify the culprit behind the failed operation, and to avoid similar incidents from happening in the future.

He assured the families of the fallen heroes that the government will do all it can to ensure the future of the children and families; citing the maximum monetary compensation that each family will receive scholarship programs for the children, job opportunities and livelihood program for the family.

“Malinaw po: Bayani po ang asawa, kapatid, at anak ninyong dinadakila natin sa araw na ito. Malaki po ang utang na loob ng sambayanan sa kanila. Binuwis nila ang kanilang buhay para mabigyan ng kaayusan at katahimikan ang buhay ng mas nakakarami,” he said.

The President conferred the posthumous ‘Medalya ng Katapangan Award’ and a plaque of recognition to the 44 fallen PNP-SAF troops. He also talked to each family in a separate private meeting.

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