A ranking lawmaker has sought to declare January 25 as National Day of Remembrance for the 44 members of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police who were massacred in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25 and all the other policemen who died in the line of duty.
In filing House Bill 5383, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez said that by declaring the National Day of Remembrance, the Filipino people will be able to continue to honor the lives and heroism of the members of the police force which made the supreme sacrifice in order to fulfill their duty “To Serve and Protect.”
“The National Day of Remembrance shall ensure that the nation continues to honor the lives and heroism of the members of the police force who were killed in action and pay respect and gratitude to the entire police force whose lives are at risks as they perform their jobs,” said Benitez, chair of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
Benitez said the entire nation was outraged over the deaths of the 44 SAF members who were killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao during a bloody operation to capture high profile terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman on January 25, 2015.
The whole country grieved the huge loss of lives among the SAF, with President Benigno S. Aquino III declaring a National Day of Mourning on January 30, 2015 for the fallen members of SAF, whose commander Getulio Napenas was sacked after the Mamasapano carnage.
“The uncommon brand of gallantry and love of country these policemen heroes demonstrated in Mamasapano should be imprinted in the minds of Filipinos not only today but also in the future,” Benitez ssaid.
“In addition, the country should also show gratitude not only to the ‘Fearless 44’ but also to other members of the police force who have given their fellow Filipinos and keeping the peace and order that ordinary citizens enjoy,” Benitez added.
The National Day of Remembrance shall be observed as a working holiday to allow the country to commemorate the heroism shown by the fallen members of the police force, the lawmaker said.
Under the measure, all public institutions and military installations are mandated to lower the Philippine flags to half-mast every National Day of Remembrance.
“Through this measure, we pay respect and gratitude to the entire police force whose lives are at risk as they perform their jobs,” Benitez said.