What happened last Sunday reminds me of our national anthem, wherein the Fallen 44 bravely fought for our country and even sacrificed their own lives in pursuit of lasting peace in Maguindanao. The President has declared January 30, 2015, a day of national mourning, in solidarity with the bereaved families of the slain in what they called a misencounter.
Yesterday, the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines gave arrival honors to the remains of 42 of the 44 fallen members of the PNP-Special Action Force who were slain in a firefight in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.
At one point yesterday though, PNoy was a no-show at the ceremony and preferred to check the cars like 4x4 instead of the caskets of 44 dead SAF troopers lined up at the Arrival service. Apparently, the President's schedule could only accommodate the inauguration of a new plant of Mitsubishi in Sta. Rosa Laguna.
Netizens were asking on social media and were bothered by a smiling PNoy while there were 44 SAF members who need justice and mourning. Social media users flooded Twitter with the question or hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo
The netizens (including me) were quite disappointed and dissatisfied with PNoy's eulogy for SF's fallen 44, a eulogy that felt less sincere and more out of necessity. I even read a comment, "Ang speech mo, Made in China." Is one man's dream of Nobel Peace Prize worth the lives of 44 young men?
But then again, let's not focus about the absence of PNoy and his story about how he lost his father, let's just pray and focus on the 44 honorable men, their families and their stories. You can spend all day ranting and hurling invectives or you can take a moment to say a little prayer for the 44 SAF troopers.
It was really heartbreaking. I saw the photos and clearly, it wasn't just a "misencounter," it was a horrid massacre and the manner by which these men died was inhumane. No words to explain the pain as excruciating as what the families and loved ones of our fallen SAF is experiencing right now. My tears fell when I read a story of a fallen SAF who died while looking at his family's photos on his phone. Or the pregnant wife who lost his husband. Or a mother who wept for his son's death. When in reality, these men were just following orders, did their duties without question if only to serve their country for whatever it takes them. A grim death. BBL or no BBL, peace talk or no peace talk, what is the assurance these things will not happen again?
It's funny though how most of those in social media wants an "all-out war" are in front of their computers with a stable network and wifi connection, and is far away from the place where the horrid incident happened. Perhaps it's out of frustration and anger, but the SAF officers died for our country's peace, so why are they looking for war? Is it for revenge? For justice?
Whatever it is, it's just sad that Filipinos are fighting against each other. Mindanao is not owned by Muslims. Muslims are Filipinos. Therefore, it is owned by Filipinos. Simple logic.
I salute you all brave 44 "fallen heroes". You are today's real heroes. May your souls rest in peace.
Let's offer a simple prayer for SAF 44. Let's honor them and remember their sacrifices.
