By Catherine J. Teves
MANILA, Feb. 24 (PNA) — Former President Fidel V. Ramos sees the need for a memorial honoring the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) police commandos killed in action last month during a mission against two terrorists in Maguindanao province’s Mamasapano municipality.
He considered the memorial a fitting tribute to the SAF commandos’ heroism in safeguarding peace and democracy – two goals of the Philippines’ historic 1986 people power revolution during which this former Chief Executive was a key figure.
“I hope government can do such to further honor them,” he said, citing a point he raised anew at a speaking engagement on the eve of the 29th anniversary of the 1986 people power revolution, which the country will commemorate this Wednesday (Feb. 25).
Government can build the memorial in Libingan ng mga Bayani, said Ramos, SAF brainchild.
“That place is for heroes and not for the military only,” he said.
He believes Malacanang can facilitate building of the memorial there.
Ramos recalled mentioning such proposal to a Cabinet official on Jan. 30 this year, which government declared as a national day of mourning for the ill-fated SAF commandos.
Government spearheaded that day at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City a necrological service for the SAF commandos.
Government flew the commandos’ remains to Metro Manila for the service.
The SAF commandos met their fate on Jan. 25 this year during an encounter with non-government forces in Mamasapano’s Tukanalipao village where they mounted an operation against terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” a Malaysian master bomb-maker, and his Filipinocounterpart Basit Usman.
Authorities identified the non-government forces as belonging to Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is engaged in peace negotiations with government, its Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters breakawayrebel group as well as several private armies.
Investigations into the deadly encounter are in progress.
Armed Forces of the Philippines was earlier composed of the army, navy, air force and Philippine Constabulary (PC).
During the 1980s, then-president Ferdinand Marcos saw the need to create elite units within such four components to streamline operations, address various threats to national security and revitalize the military.
In May 1983, SAF became the elite unit of PC.
Ramos headed PC at the time.
“SAF was created under his leadership and guidance,” the elite unit noted.
Such unit helped protect key figures of the 1986 people power revolution against Marcos, noted Ramos.
Aside from toppling the Marcos administration, the revolution paved the way for Corazon Aquino to assume the presidency.
Aquino was the widow of Marcos’ slain political rival Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
Under the leadership of then-PC Capt. Avelino Razon, SAF became an anti-coup force as Mrs. Aquino’s administration faced several power-grab attempts.
She eventually signed RA 6975 (Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990) in December 1990, transforming PC-SAF into Philippine National Police-SAF. (PNA)