Remembering our Heroes: PROCOR Commemorates SAF 44 Heroism

CAMP MAJOR BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – In commemoration of the gallantry of the 44 fallen Special Action Force (SAF) Troopers, Police Regional Office Cordillera joins the the Day of National Remembrance for the Gallant SAF44 in a ceremony held at Hotel Manor, Camp John Hay, Baguio City on January 25, 2021.

The ceremony was hosted by PROCOR Regional Director PBGEN R’WIN S PAGKALINAWAN and was graced by Baguio City Mayor Hon. Benjamin V Magalong as the guest of honor and speaker.

Also, in attendance were the PNP SAF 14SAB Battalion Commander PLTCOL MELCHOR A BUAQUEN, the Director for Intelligence PMGEN AMANDO CLIFTON B EMPISO, the Director for Operations PMGEN ALFRED S CORPUS, the General Manager of Hotel Manor Mr. Ramon Cabera and most especially, the families and loved ones of the fallen SAF Troopers led by Mrs. Edna Tabdi, the mother of late PMAJ GEDNAT G TABDI.

As part of the commemoration, a Wreath Laying Ceremony was also conducted wherein wreaths were offered to the memorial site and volley fire was performed to honor and pay tribute to the SAF44.

Five years ago, the 44 troopers of SAF lost their lives during a high-risk special operation in Maguindanao. Of the 44 troopers, 15 are Cordillerans. As such, a memorial site for the SAF44 was constructed in Hotel Manor. The project was a collaboration between PMGEN EMPISO, who was then the SAF Commander, and the local government of Baguio, with the leadership of Mayor Magalong.

As Mayor Magalong recalls the heroism and gallantry of the fallen troopers, he acknowledged that everyone’s unity would be of great help in fighting for justice for the SAF Troopers and their families. Also, in his speech, he imparted that we should let the SAF44 always remind us that no life deserves to be a useless sacrifice in the name of expediency and that we owe no less to honor their gallant memory. (PROCOR RPIO)