Marcos honors SAF 44 on 8th anniversary of Mamasapano clash

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday paid tribute to the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who died in battle on January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao eight years ago.

"We honor the 44 brave Special Action Force officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Marcos said in a statement.

"Their heroism will always inspire us as we continue to protect and serve our people," he added.

Sixty-seven people, including five civilians, died that day. The SAF commandos were part of a special mission to serve arrest warrants for ranking international terrorist Malaysian bomber Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan, and were ambushed by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and local armed groups.

In 2017, Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation no. 164 series of 2017 or the National Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice of the SAF 44 as “a constant reminder of the continuing sacrifices made by our valiant uniformed men and women of the PNP.”—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News