Press Release
January 24, 2016

Statement of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the
1st Anniversary of the Mamasapano Encounter

As we commemorate the tragic Mamasapano encounter which claimed the lives of 67 of our fellow Filipinos most especially those of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, let us not forget the lesson it taught us.

The lesson for us is clear: Our nation is too awash in armed men committed to violence, and that has to end immediately. We have lost enough lives in this tragic event. Let not peace be another casualty.

Let us suffer no more dead soldiers and cops, or rebels and civilians caught in the crossfire. Let us have no more widows and orphans, or victims and evacuees.

The sacrifices of our 44 heroes should inspire us to go beyond violence and vendettas and work with every sector and help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao get the genuine peace and sustainable prosperity that has long evaded them.

Finally, I urge the authorities handling the Mamasapano case to expedite their investigation and ensure that the guilty will be punished.

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