SAF 44 widow on VP Binay’s ‘True’ SONA: ‘Huwag niyo kaming gamitin’

A widow of one of the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed in the infamous January 25 Mamasapano clash on Tuesday appealed to politicians not to use the death of the 44 elite police officers for personal gains.

The appeal came a day after Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered his “True State of the Nation Address,” where he castigated President Benigno Aquino III for leaving the issue on the Mamasapano clash out of his SONA.

“Tumulong na lang po siya makamit namin ang hustisya, huwag lang puro salita,” Rachel Sumbilla, widow of PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla, said of Binay.

“Hindi kasi nakakatulong sa pagkuha namin ng hustisya kung gagamitin lang nila kami para siraan ang isa’t-isa,” she added.

[WATCH] VP Binay delivers counter-SONA

PO3 Sumbilla and 43 of his colleagues were killed when a covert operation to neutralize foreign terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 25 resulted in a clash with Moro rebels and armed civilians in the area.

The clash cast a shadow on the peace deal signed between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and delayed the passage of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress.

Aside from the 44 police troopers, 17 MILF rebels and four civilians were also killed in the fighting.

More tributes expected

Mrs. Sumbilla said she expects more tributes for the 44 slain police officers as the 2016 elections draw near.

“Malapit na ang eleksyon, paniguro marami nang gagamit sa [SAF 44] sa kampanya nila,” Sumbilla said.

She added no politician should take credit for the benefits they have received after the death of their loved ones because those benefits were part of their rights.

“Kung wala naman kayong maitutulong sa pagkuha namin ng hustisya para sa pagkamatay ng mga mahal namin, huwag na kayo magsalita,” Sumbilla said.

“Sa Mamasapano, 44 ang nagbuwis ng buhay at marami ang sugatan, pero kahit pahapyaw ay ‘di nabanggit ang kanilang kabayanihan sa SONA. Buti pa [ang] hairstylist at fashion designer, kasama sa mahabang listahan ng pinasalamatan,” Binay said at the beginning of his address.

“Nananatiling mailap ang hustisya para sa kanilang mga pamilya,” he also said.

Don’t use the name of the SAF 44

For her part, Christine Kiangan, widow of PO2 Noble Kiangan, said the SAF 44 should not be used in politics.

“Napupulitika po ‘yan kasi malapit na ang election,” she said. “Sana po maging totoong tao ang mga nasa taas, at huwag sana nilang ginagamit ang pangalan ng SAF para mamulitika.”

“Ang katotohanan lang po, hinihingi naming mga pamilya ng SAF44 ang bigyang hustisya ang pagkamatay ng mga magigiting na kapulisan natin,” she added. “Huwag sana ibaon sila sa limot para matahimik mga kaluluwa ng mga kapulisan na namatay sa paglingkod ng ating inang bayan.”
Source: gmanetwork.com