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January 30, 2015, is a National Day of Mourning

By virtue of Proclamation No. 953, s. 2015, this Friday, January 30, 2015, has been declared a national day of mourning. All public institutions and military installations, are instructed to lower the Philippine flag to half-mast in honor of the members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force that fell during an armed encounter in Maguindanao last Sunday, as well as a sign of solidarity with their families.

The necrological service will be led by President Benigno S. Aquino III on the national day of mourning. It will be held at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, at 10:00 a.m.

Mamasapano town in Maguindanao
On the morning of January 29, 2015, the remains of the members of the PNP Special Action Force slain in Mamasapano arrived at Villamor Air Base. The fallen PNP SAF were accorded arrival honors, led by the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas, PNP Deputy Dir. Gen. Leonardo Espina, and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang. Photo Courtesy: Gov.PH

The remains of the members of the PNP Special Action Force arrived Thursday morning at Villamor Air Base in caskets draped with the Philippine flag. This was done in recognition of and to honor their service to the nation.

The national flag may be used to cover the caskets of the honored dead, as recognized by the state.

Philippine National Flag

When positioning the flag, the white triangle must be at the head of the casket, while the blue field must cover the right side. To prevent the flag from falling off, a black band may be wrapped along the side of the casket.

Before lowering the casket, the flag must be folded and handed to the heirs of the deceased. The national flag must not be lowered into the grave or be allowed to touch the ground.

The Half-Mast Rule

The flag must be raised to the top of the pole before it is lowered to the half-mast position; and before it is lowered for the day it must be raised to the top again.

Half-Mast Rule Philippine Flag

*The national flag is flown at half-mast on national days of mourning, or during the anniversaries of heroes, national calamities, or international solemnity, as ordered by the president.

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These are the names and faces of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force’s fallen heroes. They were killed in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last Sunday during a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The elite cops’ mission was to serve arrest warrants to two suspected terrorists—Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Abdulbasit Usman.

Mamasapano Clash Casualties

Postscript:

Not because 44 heroes gave their lives for their country and people. It was their calling, it was their choice, it was their privilege, it was their destiny. National Day of Mourning for a country without leadership, a president without courage, a government without direction. National Day of Mourning for a people long suffering at the altar of political leadership amass with corruption, of heartless, conscienceless and brainless officials. National Day of Mourning for the simple fact that tomorrow after the last taps’ echoes have faded into the night, everything will be forgotten until the next blood of heroes flows again.

You fought well and you died defending us. We shall not fail you, our fallen heroes.

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Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, from the Philippines, has significantly influenced the teaching profession by enabling thousands of teachers nationwide to access essential information and exchange ideas. His contributions have enhanced their instructional and supervisory abilities. Moreover, his articles on teaching have reached international audiences and have been featured on highly regarded educational websites in the United States.

9 thoughts on “January 30, 2015, is a National Day of Mourning”

  1. “The Filipino people are in mourning and it’s not just because of the Masasapano debacle. We are mourning the incompetence and callousness of the national leadership.”

    Reply
  2. Hindi ko eto nakayanan. Saludo ako sa iyo.

    Again, from Nathaniel Salang: “Yesterday, I heard one of the SAF survivors of the Mamasapano massacre recount how he was able to survive. When there were already dozens dead or dying among his group, he was trying to escape and survive. He could not move from his position, however, because he was being sniped whenever he tried to move.

    As his situation became more hopeless, one of his wounded comrades called out to him, said, “Sige na”, stood up, and walked towards the snipers. Immediately the wounded soldier became the snipers’ new target.

    That soldier literally laid down his life so that another man may live.”

    Reply
  3. Today we commence the National Resistance vs the darkness that covers our nation.

    Today we shall overcome.

    We shall demonstrate to this government that the collective light of the people must prevail as each one of us contribute a light in a People’s Vigil at Edsa Shrine starting 6pm 30 January 2015.
    Today is your turn.

    Carry your light from the SAF 44 in Camp Crame to the EDSA Shrine, stay for a while, share with your fellow Filipinos, let our collective light shine bright in the night to honor our true heroes.

    Today we regain the real, the true, People Power peacefully.

    Mabuhay ang makabagong Pilipino!

    Reply
  4. Aquino’s command responsibility (or rather, irresponsibility) was the source of these policemen’s untimely death.

    I think it would have been more insulting and emotionally traumatic for the family of the victims had he shown up at their funeral.

    Had he gone there, he would have been forced to make a statement, and will no doubt justify the actions of his administration the best that he can, though which no pure defense can be made, which all the more make these peacekeepers’ sacrifice for country be in vain.

    Wouldn’t you think it was better off with him staying away? His political strategists seem to think so.

    Reply
  5. The clock is ticking fast thereby limiting the opportunity that the president could redeem himself. And bit-by-bit, he is only showing his limited ability to lead.

    Mr. President you will go down in history as the leader, who abandoned his elite force in the heat of an 11 hour battle. You do not deserve our respect! You are just a typical politician.

    Reply
  6. What can you expect from our “Dear Leader”.. He can attend nonsense tv shows like vice ganda and the wedding of marian and dingdong but cannot attend on the arrival of the fallen heroes who fought bravely against the terrorist milf.. So i wanted to hear the opinion of the yellow zombies.. Let’s see how you defend your “Dear Leader” now.. From Yolanda, up until now, Our “Dear Leader” would rather hang out on occasions that has something to do with the socialites and not of the public servants who fought bravely to maintain Peace, Order and to prevent casualty that could endanger more innocent people.. Now, I want this yellow zombies to reply on my comment.. Let’s see how you defend your so called “Yellow Emperor”.. You Brainwashed Zombies..

    Reply
  7. Condolence to the families of the 44 SAF victims of the Mamasapo Maguindanao Massacre..
    May the souls of these victims rest in peace.

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  8. I voted for him and pareho pa kami ng course sa AdMU so this is doubly heartbreaking for me. Noynoy is a mess; Mula sa pagiging missing in action nya sa tuwing may mga kalamidad; Sa mala-bratinelong pagsusumbong nya sa Santo Papa; The fact that he hates being criticized and that he can’t seem to accept responsibility sa mga pagkukulang ng gobyerno nya samantalang sya ang lider; And this. SMH.

    Sa usapin ng integridad, wala akong malaking maipupula kay Noynoy. Pero kung sa pagiging lider na inspirational sa panahon ng trahedya at pagsubok at kayang tumanggap ng pagkakamali nya at ng mga itinalaga nyang maging bahagi ng gobyerno, ligwak sya dun. Kung presidente ka at nakakaya mong sabihin na “ako parin ba ang responsable dyan? ako nanaman ang sisisihin nyo? pati ba yan, ako parin ang mali?” eh pucha naman, ano ka nalang? Bata lang ang nagrereact ng ganyan sa criticism. Think about it.

    Reply

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