FVR bats for SAF Fallen 44 memorial

FORT BONIFACIO – 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.
Ramos, the founder of the Special Action Force, 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.

Ramos, the acknowledged founder of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF), led a special tribute to the 44 SAF heroes through the Pilipinas Roadshow featuring the Tagaligtas documentary and the Silver Linings book tour at the PNP Multi-Purpose Hall at Camp Crame on February 26 .. Multi-sectoral groups including retired police and military generals are expected to pay tribute to the fallen 44.
Spearheaded by FVR’s Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, former DILG Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III and Media Touchstone Ventures Inc., the Pilipinas Roadshow is a continuing project to promote patriotism and the heroism of SAF officers. The roadshow has made its run in Metro Manila, the cities of Dagupan and Baguio as well as in key U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York and New Jersey.
The video documentary “Tagaligtas” is a one-hour length video on the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), produced by Mr. Alunan. It documents the crucial roles that SAF, a special unit founded by then PC Chief Maj. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, has played in securing the people from coups, insurgency, terrorism and crime.
The book “Silver Linings” presents the untold stories of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution told from the unique perspective of the military and police personnel who played key roles during the historic event. It is inspired by the beginnings of SAF and the exploits of SAF officers who have remained loyal to the flag and country covering six Philippine Presidents. The book is written by Melandrew Velasco and co-authored by Police Director (ret) Reynaldo V. Velasco and Alunan.
The Special Tribute to Heroes SAF 44 and the Pilipinas Roadshow will be highlighted by the direct turn over of donations by various corporations, civic groups and individuals to the PNP SAF Foundation for the benefit of the victims’ families and survivors of the Mamasapano incident last January 25, 2015.
On the memorial, Ramos said the government can build it at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“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.