Mindanao solon seeks declaration of Jan. 25 as National Day of Mourning in memory of SAF 44

MANILA -- A Mindanao lawmaker has proposed to declare January 25 of every year as a National Day of Mourning in memory of the 44 brave and gallant members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last year.Rep. Zajid G. Mangudadatu (2nd District, Maguindanao) raised the proposal through House Bill 6320, saying the nation should dedicate Jan. 25 every year to remember the 44 brave and heroic members of the Philippine National Police-SAF who died in Mamasapano. The SAF troopers’ death should not be put to naught and the entire nation must remember the day they lost their lives in service to the country and furtherance of peace,” said Mangudadatu.Mangudadatu, vice chairman of the House committee on Mindanao affairs, said that on Jan. 25 last year, the nation woke up to the news that 44 policemen from the elite PNP-SAF were slain in Mamasapano. The news broke the hearts of not only Filipinos but also other nationalities, as videos of how our elite policemen were mercilessly killed, went viral. The SAF 44 heroically gave up their lives after successfully neutralizing one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists,” said Mangudadatu.The bill, now pending at the committee on public order and safety chaired by Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental), declares that January 25 of every year is hereby declared as a National Day of Mourning.The lives of the SAF 44 shall always be remembered and commemorated on the National Day of Mourning.