Navy flies flag at half-mast to show solidarity with fallen SAF men

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 27): Navy flies flag at half-mast to show solidarity with fallen SAF men

Aside from military bases and camps, all Navy ships currently anchored or docked in various naval stations or ports in the country will fly their flags at half-mast to honor the 49 Special Action Force (SAF) members killed in action last Sunday in Maguindanao.

Navy public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna, in a message to the PNA, said flying flags at half-mast was to show their solidarity to the SAF personnel killed Sunday.

However, ships underway or on patrol are exempted from this order.

Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang ordered Tuesday that all military camps and installations to fly their flags at half-mast effective 8 a.m. to show their mourning and respects to the fallen SAF officers and enlisted men who were killed in an encounter with combined elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Pidsandawan, Masasapano town, Maguinadanao last Sunday.

“We mourn the loss of these brave policemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for our country. They fought heroically and they have not died in vain,” Catapang said.

Under Republic Act 8491, the Philippine Flag can be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on official announcement of the death of select government officials or other persons to be determined by the National Historical Institute.

In his directive, Catapang ordered the General Headquarters and all other AFP camps, bases, and stations to fly the flag at half-mast for a period of five days​starting​ Jan. 27.

The Military Ordinariate of the Philippines that has jurisdiction over military, police, and coast guard chaplains also requested for prayers among the faithful.

“Our Military Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak has requested all AFP, PNP and Coast Guard chaplains to include the fallen SAF personnel in their mass intentions for the repose of their souls,” AFP Chaplain Service head Col. Tirso A. Dolina said.

There will also be a mass at the St. Ignatius De Loyola Cathedral, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday dedicated to the fallen SAF personnel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=729598