Noy vows to help SAF 44’s kin

MANILA, Philippines - Nothing can bring back the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) slaughtered by Moro fighters in Mamasapano, Maguindnao, but President Aquino has promised their families that he will be with them in grieving and in standing up again.

Aquino had a heart-to-heart talk last Friday with the family members of each of the fallen SAF members that lasted for almost 13 hours, Malacañang said yesterday.

Aquino arrived at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City at 10 a.m. for the necrological services for the fallen heroes. He left before 1 a.m. yesterday after meeting with the families inside a chapel within the headquarters. The families were called in one by one and as the President talked to them, his sisters Ballsy and Kris were also on hand to console them.

Admitting that he does not know what to say to console the families of the slain SAF members, Aquino decided to personally listen to them on Friday until past midnight yesterday.

“In general, the families and the President reached an understanding that they should be strong to give meaning to the heroism of their children, husbands or brothers,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over dzRB.

Aquino also assured the families that the government would provide “everything” they need.

In the coming days, different government agencies would coordinate with the families for their various needs, including skills trainings for permanent livelihood programs or employment.

Coloma said the sources of livelihood would include farming, fishing and putting up retail stores and other small businesses.

Coloma said that no one among the 44 families was left unattended and that some of the wounded SAF members and their loved ones also met with the President.

Father asked for justice, livelihood

In an interview over dzMM, the father of slain SAF member Noel Balaca Jr. said there was no heaviness when they met with the President and that they felt his sincerity to help them.

Balaca’s father said the President asked about their needs and he told him about the education of the slain SAF members’ siblings that his fallen son was supporting.

“The President said he would replace my boat with a bigger one; that’s what I use for fishing,” Balaca’s father said.

Balaca’s father said their family could understand that the operation in Mamasapano was part of his son’s job and they were not blaming anyone. But he stressed that they would feel better if the killers would be captured. – With Aie Balagtas See, Raymund Catindig, Eva Visperas, Victor Martin, Roel Pareño, Cesar Ramirez