Vice President Jejomar Binay and the Makati City government on Wednesday distributed the P440,000 financial assistance to the families of the 44 members of the Special Action Force killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last month.
The vice president and Makati Mayor Junjun Binay led the distribution and tribute honoring the SAF-44 held at the Makati City session hall.
member of SAF-44 who were victims of the Mamasapano massacre,
receives financial assistance from Vice President Jejomar Binay and
Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay in a simple ceremony held at the
Makati City Hall. Family members of the rest of SAF-44 also attended
the ceremony and received the financial aid froom the Makati City
government. LINO SANTOS
Apart from the P100,000 financial help, the families will also get a P300,000 worth of house and lot courtesy of the National Housing Authority through the initiative of the Vice President, who is also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
The city government also offered college scholarship at the city-run University of Makati (UMak) to the children or siblings of the slain policemen.
“This is our humble way of honoring our heroes. This is our way of showing our heartfelt gratitude for their courage to remain true to their duty of safeguarding the peace up to their last breath,” said Mayor Binay in a speech.
The mayor exhorted the bereaved families to remain strong and continue to pursue a bright future, which he said was what their beloved heroes would have wanted.
“Never let go of their memory, but never let go either of those dreams you shared and built with them when they were still alive,” he said.
A short video tribute titled “In Memoriam: Makati’s Special Tribute to Heroes 44” was also shown during the program.
In an interview, Raechel June Sumbilla, wife of slain SAF commando PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla, said she and other affected families are thankful for what Makati city government and other agencies have given to them.
“Apart from those (assistance) naman, the important thing for us is justice. Meron nga silang tulong pero hindi ganoon, hindi makakapag-lessen ng pain hanggat walang justice,” she said.
Sumbilla also expressed dissatisfaction with the way the Senate investigation and other probes are going. She said those responsible for the “massacre” have not yet been identified.
Sumbilla asked President Aquino to cooperate with the ongoing investigation being conducted by several government agencies. She believed that the president somehow has “something” to do with the bungled operation in Mamasapano.
“Personally, yes. Maybe, because as a Commander in Chief, kasi hindi siya (Aquino) nagsasalita eh. Ang huling sinabi lang niya iyong parang inaako niya iyong responsibility na ‘til death babaunin niya iyong nangyari. Pero parang kulang.”
“Sana mabilis na aksyon pa, kasi katulad nun nailibing na lahat, ito na nga kasi masyado po kaming pinapahirapan. Please coordinate with us, Mr. President,” said Sumbilla, who is seven-month pregnant.