BREAKING NEWS!

HONORING THE HEROISM OF SAF 44 MEMBERS ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAMASAPANO MASSACRE

BY: VANESSA BUGTONG

 

Loving, dependable, and a big brother figure, this is how Rhyzza described her favorite uncle, who was a police officer.

“Since we lived in the province, whenever he had his day off or vacation, he would take me to Manila or here in Baguio. I was nine years old when we lost him,” said Rhyzza Danao.

But in 2015, they were devastated by the terrible news:

Her uncle, Police Officer 2 Franklin Danao, lost his life in a bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Danao was part of the Special Action Force’s Oplan Exodus, a mission to capture Indonesian terrorist and bomb-making expert Zulkifli Abdhir, also known as Marwan, and Abdul Basit Usman.

Though Rhyzza was only nine years old at the time, she slowly became aware of the tragedy that took her uncle’s life.

“It’s still very painful for me as a mother. For us mothers, it’s heartbreaking, every time you remember their birthday, their anniversary, and all the memories. It’s painful because you carried them for nine months, took care of them, and then something like this happens. It really hurts,” said Edna Tabdi.

On the 10th anniversary of the Mamasapano clash, the SAF 44 were honored once again with a tribute at their memorial at The Manor Hotel in Baguio City on Saturday, January 25.

For the first time, their heroism was also commemorated with a Mass.

Each anniversary brings back the pain of the tragedy for the families of the fallen officers. However, as time passes, events like these provide some solace, as shared by Edna, the mother of Police Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi.

“Every time I see my grandchildren, he’s the third among six siblings, I feel the pain again. Seeing his younger siblings, who are also police officers, reminds me of the risks, and as a mother, I always hope that such a tragedy never happens again,” Tabdi added.

PBGEN. David Peredo Jr., Regional Director of Police Regional Office – Cordillera, “Let’s remember that this happened so others could live. They sacrificed their lives for the safety of others. Let us not waste their sacrifice; instead, let’s live our lives right.”

Although some of the government’s promises to the families of the fallen officers remain unfulfilled, justice is still their call.

Now 18 years old, Rhyzza still carries the pain of the tragedy.

But as she steps into college, her uncle’s love and inspiration remain with her as she pursues her dream of becoming a police officer, just like him.

“Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Danao added.

Though she has accepted that her uncle can never return, his memory will always live on in her heart and mind.

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