On the 40th day, comrades pray for SAF44

In a sea of crowd of men in uniform—from blue to camouflage, silence was heard, as the Holy Mass in honor of the 44 Special Action Force was held in San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City, March 5.

Archbishop Romulo G. Valles officiated the Holy Eucharist on the 40th day since the death of the so-called Fallen 44, who died in the encounter last January 25, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

In his homily, the archbishop said the peace process should go on despite their death because if not, the death of the SAF44 will be in vain.

“Peace is not served on a silver platter,” the archbishop said, adding that the gathering is a gathering of prayer in the presence of God, asking him for the gift of peace and solidarity.

The mass, the archbishop said is a complete prayer, a special memorial mass on the 40th day since their death which has been a practice in the Catholic Church, where the dead are honored after 40 days, where they are believed to leave this world and enter into new life.

The archbishop asked the men in uniform present and the people attending the mass to pray for the eternal repose of their souls and ask God’s mercy and compassion for the grieving families of the victims.

The Bereaved family of SPO1 Lover L. Inocencio from Panabo was also present during the Mass. Archbishop Valles personally extended his condolences to the wife of one of the SAF44.

The following are the list of participants who attended the Holy Mass:

1. MAYOR RODRIGO R. DUTERTE of Davao City
2. FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY:
   1. Davao Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Incorporated
   2. Davao City Chamber of Commerce
3. FROM THE CIVIC GROUPS:
   1. Lions Club International
   2. Davao Jaycees
   3. Kiwanis Club of Davao City
4. FROM THE ACADEME:
   Mr. JIMMIE LOE P. DELA VEGA – Exec. Director of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools
5. FROM THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD:
   COMMODORE JOSELITO DELA CRUZ – Commander, Philippine Coast Guard Eastern District
6. FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES:
   1. LIEUTENANT GENERAL AURELIO BALADAD – Commander, Eastern Mindanao Command
   2. COMMODORE JOEL DELA CRUZ – Commander, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao
   3. LT. COLONEL PABLO E. RUSTRIA – Commander, Tactical Operations Group XI
   4. MAJ. GENERAL EDUARDO M. AÑO – Commander, 10th Infantry Agila Division
      Together with him were his four (4) brigade commanders comprising the following:
      1. 701st brigade covering the area of Davao Oriental;
      2. 1001st brigade covering the area of Compostela Valley;
      3. 1002nd brigade covering the area of Sarangani Province and South Cotabato;
      4. 1003rd brigade covering the area of Davao Del Norte
      5. Task Force Davao Commander COL. MACAIROG S. ALBERTO – covering the area of Davao City and the following battalions:
         1. Commander of the 10th CMO battalion
         2. Commander of the 39th Infantry battalion
         3. Commander of the 69th Infantry battalion
         4. Commander of the 72nd Cadre battalion and
         5. Commander of the 84th Infantry battalion.
7. FROM THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE:
   1. Representing OIC, PNP LEONARDO ESPINA is POLICE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT WENDY ROSARIO, Regional Director, Police Regional Office XI
      Provincial Directors and City Director:
   2. For Davao Oriental – Police Sr. Superintendent Jose Carumba
   3. For Davao del Norte – Police Sr. Superintendent Samuel Gadingan
   4. For Davao del Sur – Police Sr. Superintendent Michael Dubria
   5. For Compostela Prov. – Police Sr. Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro
   6. For Davao City – Police Senior Superintendent Vicente Davao