Eastern Visayas police urged to draw inspiration from SAF 44

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 26 –- The police regional office here has called on the policemen in Eastern Visayas to emulate the heroism of 44 fallen commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

“We must remember the heroism of the Fallen 44 who made their ultimate sacrifice during the bloody encounter on January 25, 2015,” said Chief Supt. Cedrick Eastern Visayas police urged to draw inspiration from SAF 44

G. Train, deputy regional director for administration during the flag raising ceremony on Monday.

He said that police officers should share the dedication of the “Fallen 44” in their daily performance of their duty, to protect the country, their fellowmen and especially to their families.

The Mamasapano debacle was a police operation codenamed Oplan Exodus, in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao by SAF against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The operation was intended to capture a wanted Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli Binhir alias “Marwan” and other Malaysian terrorists.

Six of the 44 elite cops were from Eastern Visayas - Police Officer (PO) 2 Noel Nebrida Balaca Jr of Oras, Eastern Samar; PO2 Glenn Bedua of Dulag, Leyte; PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla of Sulat, E. Samar; PO1 Joseph Gumatay Sagonoy of Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar; PO2 Rodel Eva Ramacula of Rosario, Nothern Samar; and PO1 Mark Lory Orioque Clemencio of Carigara, Leyte. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA