QUEZON City, Philippines –Malacañang reminded the public on the heroism of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) or the so-called SAF 44, three years after the tragic Mamasapano incident.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that President Rodrigo Duterte personally honored the death of the SAF 44 through Proclamation No. 164 which declared January 25 of each year as National Day of Remembrance to honor the “heroic sacrifices” of the SAF 44.
On January 25, 2015, members of the SAF conducted an operation against two high-value targets, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan and terrorist Abdul Basit Usman, which resulted in the death of at least 67 individuals, including the SAF 44 and 23 civilians.