The local government unit of San Nicolas has joined the entire country today to pay tribute to the gallant SAF 44 who perished during the bloody Mamasapano encounter exactly six (6) years ago today in Maguindanao.
Dubbed as the “National Day of Remembrance,” the commemoration commenced with the wreath-laying ceremony for the fallen heroes, among them was San Nicolanian Police Officer 2 Ephraim G. Mejia.
Mourning the loss of Mejia but taking pride for the heroism of the fallen officer who died fighting fearlessly along with his comrades to their last bullet, Mayor Alicia Primicias-Enriquez said their death should serve as an inspiration for their death symbolizes the country’s search for peace especially in the countryside.
“Manatili sana tayong nakatutok sa ating pangunahing layunin: Ang malawakan at pangmatagalang kapayapaan. Ito ang ipinaglaban ng Special Action Force sa Mamasapano,” she said in part during the ceremony held this morning at the Municipal Grounds.
In 2017, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 164 declaring January 25 every year as the National Day of Remembrance as tribute to the bravery of the 44 heroes who all belong to the PNP Special Action Force (SAF).
In her message, Mayor Alice reiterated to the members of the San Nicolas police force the LGUs continued support to the programs and projects of the PNP, stressing “Sa mga miyembro ng ating kapulisan, Kasama ninyo kami, ang lokal na pamahalaan–ako bilang Ina ng Bayan–sa bawat sandali na kami ay inyong kailangan. Tandaan n’yo na sasamahan namin kayo sa anumang hakbang para sa ating hinahangad na pangmatagalang seguridad at kapayapaan.”
Mayor Alice also consoled the families of PO2 Mejia underscoring, “Walang salitang sasapat upang ibsan ang sakit ng inyong kalooban ngunit tandaan n’yo na hindi po kayo nag-iisa. Kasama n’yo kami sa gitna ng inyong kalungkutan at pangungulila.”
The ceremony was attended by Mejia’s mother, Helen Mejia, and Sister, Ruth Mejia Tajale. His wife, Mia, and daughter, July, for their part, attended the same ceremony at the PNP Regional Command in Lingayen.
Also joining Mayor Alice at the ceremony were Vice Mayor Alvin Bravo, Members of the Municipal Council, and personnel of San Nicolas PNP headed by Police Lieutenant Landro M. Velasquez
