Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV has filed a resolution
seeking to award posthumously the Medal of Valor to the 44 Philippine National
Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers killed in the bloody encounter
in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.
Aquino said in his
Senate Resolution No. 1156 that the 44 SAF men should be commended for their
exemplary courage and heroism.
"The 44 officers
of the PNP-SAF fought valiantly and sacrificed their lives in the performance
of their duty," he said.
The senator said the
bravery of the 44 SAF members led to the killing of international terrorist
Zulkipli bin Hir, alias Abu Marwan, during the Mamasapano operation.
"Their lives
were given in the service to the Filipino people and our nation's quest for
peace," Aquino said.
The SAF team came
under intense fire from members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and
the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), resulting in the death of 44 of
its members.
According to the senator, Republic Act No. 9049 honors
military heroes and affiliates for their supreme self-sacrifice and distinctive
acts of heroism and gallantry by awarding the Medal of Valor.
"Their mission was accomplished and the country became a
safer place because of them," Aquino said.
The Medal of Valor
entitles the widower and/or dependents of the awardee to a lifetime monthly
gratuity and precedence in employment in National Government Agencies (NGAs) or
Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), among other benefits.
"Through this recognition, it is our hope
that the nation will never forget what they've died for and be an inspiration
for our fellow Filipinos to continue serving our country," he stressed.
(PNA)
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