SOME of the families of the 44 Special Action Force commandos killed last year in Mamasapano snubbed a ceremony led by President Benigno Aquino III Monday to award medals to the fallen policemen.
Erika Pabalinas, wife of Senior Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, and who served as the spokesperson of the families of the SAF 44 during the necrological rites a year ago, was not present to receive his posthumous award, which was received instead by the police officer’s father and brother.
Pabalinas was the most senior among the 44 SAF commandos, who was conferred the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest police decoration along with 41 other troopers.
Last year, Erika pleaded with Aquino to help them find justice for their loved ones.
During the awarding rites, the Medal of Valor awards were conferred to Senior Insp. Gednat Tabdi and PO2 Romeo Cempron—the highest combat award for both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Tabdi was the one who led the attacked and eventually killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir in his hideout while Cempron shielded his comrade from a barrage of gunfire to enable PO2 Christopher Lalan to escape.
Nobody from the families of PO2 Nicky Nacino and PO1 Rennie Tyrus who were awarded the posthumous Distinguished Conduct Star, went on stage to receive the award.
The classmates of Senior Insp. Max Jim Tria and PO2 Franklin Danao, received their respective awards, while an uncle of Senior Insp. John Gary Erana took the award bestowed by the President.
A total of 47 troopers were given the DCS award, 42 of them assigned with the 84th SAF Seaborne Company and 55th SAF Company, that assaulted the safe house of the Malaysian terrorist.
PNP chief Ricardo Marquez denied allegations that the relatives of the SAF 44 were compelled to attend the ceremonies.
“We did not force them. We asked our officers to invite them over last Friday and I made these instructions that if they would not attend, I will recommend the cancellation of this awarding today,” Marquez said.
He also said the awarding of medals to the fallen commandos would bring closure to last year’s tragedy.
On Sunday, retired police chief superintendent and president of the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc. said that justice has not yet been served to the SAF 44, and that the “whole truth” must come out during the reopened Senate investigation.
Marquez and Interior Secretary Senen Sarmiento denied allegations of a coverup.
The leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Monday accused Aquino of committing “six deadly sins” in the Mamasapano debacle.
These were:
1) Aquino violated the chain of command by putting suspended police chief Alan Purisima in charge of the operation.
2) Aquino violated the suspension order of the Ombudsman by putting Purisima in charge of the covert operation.
3) Aquino failed to inform his own PNP OIC and Department of Interior and Local Government secretary of the operation.
4) Aquino failed to inform other Cabinet officials and the Armed Forces. The lack of coordination between the SAF and the AFP proved to be fatal for 44 SAF troopers.
5) Aquino failed to inform the government peace panel and the MILF, thus violating the ceasefire agreement.
6) Aquino allowed the participation of a foreign government—the United States—in an internal operation. With Joel E. Zurbano