Burial for two SAF cops today

CEBU, Philippines - While she appreciates the financial assistance being extended to their family, Dr. Christine Cempron says she believes no amount of money can be enough in exchange for the life of her husband, Police Officer 1 Romeo Cempron.

Cempron from Tayud, Consolacion, and PO1 Windel Candano from Dumanjug, Cebu, were the two Cebuanos who were part of the 44 Philippine National Police–Special Action Force troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria, SAF OIC Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Police Regional Office-7 Regional Director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas and PRO–7 Deputy Regional Director for Operations and Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, government staff and police personnel visited the last wake of Cempron and Candano yesterday morning.

Roxas handed P20,000 in financial assistance while Davide turned over P50,000 to the wives of the two slain policemen.

Capa, along with the police officials and station chiefs in Cebu City, returned in the afternoon to the wake of Cempron and handed P40,000 in financial assistance to Christine. Capa turned over another P40,000 to Michelle, the wife of Candano, yesterday at the latter’s wake at St. Peter Memorial Chapels in Cebu City.

The funds were raised by the CCPO personnel and private individuals and organizations in support to the bereaved families of the slain policemen.

Christine shared to The FREEMAN that whenever she receives financial assistance from concerned individuals and organizations, it makes her realize the painful reality that no amount of money can equate to the sacrifice of the 44 PNP-SAF commandos and she can never have her husband back.

“Ara nimo ma-realize nga all the more, no amount of money can really replace the loss of my husband. Maski 20 million dollars pa na for each of us,” she stated.

She said that it makes them feel that those who died during the operation are just low-profile police officers.

“If para nila my husband is just a PO1, but for me my husband is my everything,” she said.

She, however, expressed appreciation for every act of sympathy and support extended to their families.

“I am not a hypocrite that I am not appreciative of everything because it helps us a lot,” she said.

Christine cited how she and her husband used to be contented with their lives even if they are not financially rich.

“Kwarta ra man na. Pwede makit-an, pwede mawagtang. There are so many things much, much more important than money,” she said.

AUTOPSY REPORT

Christine personally asked Roxas for the autopsy report of her husband.

Roxas reportedly told her that he is not certain if there was a detailed autopsy for each of the slain PNP SAF member but assured her he will verify.

Christine cited that Cempron suffered from two gunshot wounds in the chest, another two in his stomach and one in his leg. She said she believes her husband was subjected for autopsy since she could see autopsy stitches on his forehead.

“Though I am not sure if stitches to para tarongon lang ang nawong or sa autopsy to kay the body is already at the advanced stage of decomposition. I, myself, as a physician can’t differentiate so I have to know,” she said.

TO ACHIEVE CLOSURE

According to Christine, Roxas promised that the grieving families will get the truth. He said that he had ordered the Board of Inquiry to inform the families of the 44 SAF commandos of the developments of the investigation.

“It is nice to hear an assurance on that matter kay wa pa gyud mi nadawat nga communication from them,” she said.

Christine believes that knowing what really happened during the Mamasapano operation will help the bereaved families to achieve closure.

“It’s not really who to blame, who will be sanctioned. Just answers first on what really happened sa operation. Take one day at a time,” she said.

MESSAGE TO MILF

Christine also appealed to the government to reconsider their actions against the rebels and re-evaluate the treaties created with them.

Christine said she is not calling for an all-out war against the MILF but described that the peace agreement between the latter as “not working”.

“We are always keeping our end of the bargain kun unsa’y dapat buhaton but I think the other side is not sincere. So what assurance can we have? If they were afraid for their lives, how stupid can that be? Hilas kaayo sila mangayo sa justice sa ilang side, kabaga’g mga nawong,” she said.

 “Kamong mga Muslim rebels, have you asked yourself personally what you are fighting for? Mga tawo man sad gyud mo. Imposible sad nga wa mo’y pakiramdam. Makonsensya sad mo,” she further said.

DID NOT VOLUNTEER

She also disagreed with the claim of former PNP chief General Alan Purisima that the 44 SAF troopers volunteered for the operation, saying that she sensed fear from her husband who kept on asking her to pray for them prior the operation.

She said that Romeo did not act this way during his previous operations.

“I don’t think that’s volunteer. If you volunteer, grabe imong spirit to do it. Wa na kaayo kay kahadlokan. If you know all the details of the plan and this is this crucial, I don’t think in-ana ka kaisog to volunteer labi na kung naa kay pamilya,” she said.

But knowing that the high-profile terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was confirmed dead, Christine was happy at least their mission was accomplished but admitted for her it will never be worth it.

“At least makakuha-kuha sa among kaguol nga dili lang ba namatay lang sila nga way hinungdan. But if you ask if it’s worth it, it will never be worth it,” she said.

A mass for Cempron which was followed by a necrological service was held at the Tayud Pastoral Center last night.

After a mass to be held at 3 p.m. today at St. Joseph Parish, Cempron will be laid to rest at a cemetery in Tayud, Consolacion.

Candano’s family held a wake for six days in Lawaan, Dumanjug, and another two days in St. Peter’s before he will be laid to rest at Cebu South Memorial Garden in Talisay City today.

A mass will also be held at St. Ignatius Chapel at Camp Sergio Osmeña at 10 a.m. before the burial.

SAF SPIRIT

 “Mas bali nang mamatay kaysa mapahiya.”

A former Special Action Force member, who is now a Provincial Intelligence operative, said that the slain commandos lived and died for their unwritten motto that they would rather die than live in shame.

SPO1 Renante Solante, a former SAF commando and now a PIB operative said that he is deeply saddened by the loss of the SAF troops in Maguindanao.

He said that in order to be a commando applicants have to be tested how tough and determined they are to serve the country. He added that mediocre people have no place in SAF since their training pushes applicants to their limits.

The SAF Commando Course includes Close Quarter Battle, where intelligence is taught phase by phase to prepare them for Urban Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Course. There is also the Sniper Course for accuracy, Basic Airborne Course where they are taught how to parachute and K9 training and Maritime Tactical Training courses.

He also called for justice to be served to the 44 men who sacrificed their lives and die rather than live in shame. — with Bryner L. Diaz/BRP (FREEMAN)