‘Justice Will be Served for 44 SAF Troopers’

Manila — Justice will be served for the slain 44 Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week, if the country continues to unite and stand to fight terrorism and at the same time support the Mindanao peace initiative, the Palace said on Sunday.

“Mabibigyan po natin ng ganap na katarungan ang kanilang malaking sakripisyo kung tayo po ay magkakaisa bilang isang bansa sa layunin na pigilin at tapusin na ang ligalig at panganib na hatid ng terorismo,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. Said in a radio interview.

(We will be able to give justice to their sacrifices if we stand united as a nation in the fight against uncertainty and fear that terrorism brings.)

Coloma asked Filipinos to support the ongoing peace efforts to eventually achieve an enduring peace in Mindanao.

There is no way but through dialogue to ensure a more stable Mindanao, he said adding decades of war has not made the region stable and progressive.

“Kaya mainam po siguro ang pagtalima natin doon sa panawagan na ‘give peace a chance.’ Magkaisa po tayo sa layuning matamo ito habang ipinupursigi po natin ang paggawad ng katarungan at pagpapanagot sa mga naganap sa Maguindanao noong nakaraang linggo.”

(That is why it would be good for us to heed the call to give peace a chance. Let us unite for peace even as we pursue justice for the slain troopers and accountability of people responsible for the incident in Maguindanao last week.)

On Saturday, the United Nations in the Philippines said it will extend a UN Peace Building Fund to support various aspects of the peace process as it looks forward for more progress through the combined efforts of all parties involved.

With regards to the policemen who were killed in Maguindanao, Coloma said the public should include in their prayers the 44 SAF men who gave their lives for the sake of freedom and safety of communities. The public could give the policemen a fitting tribute for their sacrifices through prayers, he said adding that they must also pray for their families to help strengthen them in this difficult time.

The government vowed to extend assistance to the families of the SAF men through livelihood programs, educational grants and housing benefits. (PCOO/PND (as)