FEB.

10, 2015

NR # 3738

Declare January 25 as National Day of Remembrance

A lawmaker has proposed to declare January 25 as National Day of Remembrance for the
44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who
were killed in the Mamasapano siege last January 25 and all the other police personnel that died
in the line of duty.
Rep. Alfredo B. Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental) said by declaring the National
Day of Remembrance through House Bill 5383, 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.
According to Benitez, 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 no less than
President Benigno S. Aquino III declaring a National Day of Mourning on January 30, 2015 for
the fallen SAF members, he said.
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 stressed.
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.
Benitez said 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.
Under the measure, all public institutions and military installations are mandated to lower
the Philippine flags to half-mast every National Day of Remembrance.
I hope through this measure, we pay respect and gratitude to the entire police force whose
lives are at risk as they perform their jobs, Benitez concluded. (30) lvc