Police Regional Office Cordillera joins 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.
As part of the commemoration, a Wreath Laying Ceremony was also conducted at 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 from the Cordillera.
Also, in attendance were the PNP SAF 14SAB Battalion Commander PLTCOL Melchor A Buaquen, Director for Intelligence, PMGEN Amando Clifton B Empiso; Director for Operations, PMGEN Alfred S Corpus; General Manager of Hotel Manor Mr. Ramon Cabrera and the families and loved ones of the fallen SAF Troopers led by Mrs. Edna Tabdi, the mother of late PMAJ Gednat G Tabdi.
Baguio City Mayor Hon. Benjamin Magalong as the guest of honor and speaker recalls the heroism and gallantry of the fallen troopers and acknowledged that everyone’s unity would be of great help in fighting for justice for the SAF Troopers and their families.
“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.” Magalong added.
A memorial site for the SAF44 was constructed in Hotel Manor grounds. The project was a collaboration between PMGEN Amando Clifton B Empiso, former SAF Commander, and the local government of Baguio, with the leadership of Mayor Magalong
The ceremony was hosted by PROCOR Regional Director PBGEN R’win S Pagkalinawan. (PROCOR RPIO)