The people of
Basilan expressed their sympathies to the men and women of the
54th PNP-Special Action Force in Basilan whose comrades perished in the
bloody “misencounter” at Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Led by religious
leaders and the City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, the people offered prayers
and sympathies in silence.
As the government
is under intense scrutiny owing to different public opinions, which are now
taking toll on the ongoing peace process between the government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad has called on the
public to exercise calm and sobriety.
“We are here
because we are for peace, we love peace, and we want to live in peace and
harmony. Our country is experiencing misunderstanding. We are not at peace
because of the painful death of the SAF 44 in Mamasapano,” the Bishop said as
he prayed for healing of broken hearts.
The bishop
reminded the people: “We belong to one God, although we call Him in different
names. We are brothers and sisters. We should not be killing each other.”
Pastor Ronald
Paulino of the United
Evangelical Church
Dr. Abdulkhair
Tarazon of the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council also prayed for God’s guidance
towards the path to peace, justice, and truth.
In her message,
Mayor Cherry Akbar said, “We don’t have to be in Bicutan to feel the pain of
the mothers, wives, families and children of the Fallen SAF 44.”
Speaking in
Filipino, the mayor recalled how her heart was devastated when she visited the
bodies of the SAF, as most of those perished in Mamasapano were formerly
assigned in Isabela
City
She was
distraught to have learned upon visiting the coffins when 16 of the 44 are
unrecognizable because of the brutality suffered in the hands of perpetrators at
Mamasapano. Almost half are in closed casket.
“Where is human
rights here?” she asked, lamenting that whenever soldiers or government
security forces suffered brutal killings like beheadings and lacerations,
nobody from the human rights came up to condemn. “Is human rights only for the
rebels and civilians?” she lamented.
“Sila na ang
nagbuwis ng buhay para sa kapayapaan, sila pa ang sinisi sa kanilang kamatayan
(They have offered their lives for peace, yet they were blamed for their
death),” the mayor said.
She said that it
is saddening that certain people have the attitude of blaming others in times
of failures, but in times of victory everybody wants to take the credit.
PInsp Bernabe A.
Chamo Jr, Platoon Leader, 54th Special Action Company, PNP-SAF thanked the
constituents of Isabela City and Basilan, all the sectors present at the event
for their sympathies and show of support to the PNP-SAF.
He appealed to
the public not to forget the heroic acts of the SAF 44 and pass on the next
generation about the ideology and sacrifices of the Fallen 44 who has served
the country with dedication and honor for peace.
The prayer rally
wound up with the candle lighting at the city plaza.
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