Malacañang declares Jan. 25 SAF 44 memorial day

January 25 is officially the Day of National Remembrance for the heroic sacrifice of the 44 uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) as PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte declared.

According to a report from the Manila Times, the Palace announced on Sunday the signing of Proclamation No. 164, which states: “The nation honors the memory of the SAF 44; their heroism is a constant reminder of the continuing sacrifices being made by our valiant uniformed men and women in line of duty.”

“I ask all our countrymen to remember the heroism of the SAF 44 and recall the daily sacrifices of our uniformed personnel for the sake of the continued peace and security of our nation,” the Proclamation read, signed last February 21.
Duterte met with the fallen commandos’ families last January 24, the eve of the second anniversary of the clash and had promised to set this day to honor the heroism of the SAF 44.

Earlier this month, the conferment of Medals of Valor-Posthumous, or the Medalya ng Kagitingan, on 42 of the members of the SAF 44 was approved by Duterte.

The other two members of the group were earlier conferred the Medals of Valor by then-President Benigno Aquino III.

Source: gmanetwork, manilatimes