Widow of slain SAF member tells PNoy: We seek your help to attain justice

"We seek for your help to attain justice."

That was the message of the widow of one of the 44 elite policemen killed in a clash in Mamasapano town to President Benigno Aquino III during the necrological services on Friday in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

In a tearful speech with Aquino in attendance, the widow of Sr. Insp. Ryan Pabalinas detailed how she and her daughter had qualms about her husband's latest mission, which proved to be his last.

"Daddy, 'wag ka nalang umalis kasi gabi na. Baka kunin ka lang po ng mga bad guys," Erica Pabalinas recalled her daughter telling her husband, before he went on a mission that saw the members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force killed in a firefight with Muslim rebels last Sunday.

"Slowly, I accept that my husband can't be with us anymore. Consoling myself that he died a hero. It is painful though," she said.

"All I ask right now is justice, not only for my husband, but for everyone who fought and fell," she added.

The PNP-SAF launched the operation in order to serve an arrest warrant against Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Commander Marwan, and bomb maker Basit Usman, whose presence had been confirmed in the area. Marwan reportedly had a $5 million bounty on his head.

But she said the bounty was far from the reason for her husband and his team's operation.

"Let us not put into our  minds that my husband and his men pursued the operations because of the tag price on top of the heads of the lawless elements," she said.

"Because if just for that we could have been richer. Because I know for a fact that my husband has been a lot through on the same situation."

Pabalinas also urged other widows to remain strong for the sake of their families.

"For the grieving wives, just like me, let us be strong for our children," she said. "Because behind every brave SAF trooper is a strong wife."

Before she was completely overcome with emotion, she ended her speech with the plea to Aquino.

"Please Sir President. Please help us."

Aquino, for his part, said he has ordered an operation for the capture of Usman as he vowed to bring justice for the deaths of the Fallen 44.

 

"Sa nangyaring pursuit operation diumano ay napatay ang target na si Marwan, umasa naman po kayo na ang pangalawang target na hindi natin nahugot ay makukuha rin natin," Aquino said in his eulogy.

 

"Number 1 po sa listahan ng dapat nating gawin ay ang pagdakip ay Basit Usman. Inutos na natin sa kinauukulan ang pagpaplano ng mas mahusay na operasyon na hulihin ang taong ito. Kumikilos na po ang inyong gobyerno hindi lamang sa mga oras na ito kundi bago pa ako humarap sa inyo upang isakatuparan ito. Patutunayan po natin ang pag-iral ng batas sa buong Pilipinas. Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo na mahuhuli natin si Usman," he added.

Aquino spent time before and after the program talking privately to the kin of the fallen cops.

'You will never be just a number'

 

Earlier, colleagues in government service paid tribute to the heroism of the slain men.

 

"We know your names, we know your faces, we will never forget how we fought together," said Col. Danilo Pamonag of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Special Operations Command.

 

"You will never be just a number. You will always be our comrades."

 

As he spoke, the atmosphere  was somber. Most of those present, including members of the grieving families, were in tears. A relative of one of the fallen cops couldn't contain her emotions and wept out loud amid the embrace of those who wanted to comfort her.

 

For his part, Police Chief Insp. Victor Lacwasan, member of the PNP-SAF, remembered his colleagues for going beyond their duties.

 

"Alam nila ang paghihirap ng mga tao sa Mindanao, kaya patuloy silang nanatili para makatulong—even beyond their duties," he said.

 

He also noted that though their unit may have not been known to the public, the members have been fighting their all for the safety of the people.

 

"Hindi niyo pa kilala ang SAF na noon pang nandito. Baka hindi niyo alam na may ganitong unit. Hindi kasi ito ipinababalita," he said.

Biyuda ng isa sa Fallen 44, humingi ng hustisya sa pagkamatay ng mga PNP-SAF BT: Eulogy ni PNP-SAF OIC Noli Taliño para sa Fallen 44 BT: Eulogy ni PNP-SAF OIC Noli Taliño para sa Fallen 44