The Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) joined the nation in commemorating the “Day of National Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice of SAF 44” on January 25, 2025.
With the theme “Courage Beyond Measure: Remembering the Sacrifice of the SAF 44 for Peace,” the event honored the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members who perished during the tragic Mamasapano clash in 2015. Among them was PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla, a native of Morong, Bataan.
Held at the Bataan PPO headquarters, the ceremony was attended by police officers, local officials, and families of the fallen heroes. The program featured a solemn wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremony to pay tribute to their heroism. Speeches highlighted the enduring legacy of the SAF 44 and the importance of continuing their mission for peace and unity in the fight against terrorism.
Earlier in the day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led a similar commemoration in Silang, Cavite, where he urged Filipinos to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the SAF 44, including PO3 Sumbilla, in promoting national peace and order.
The Mamasapano clash, which took place on January 25, 2015, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, claimed the lives of 44 SAF commandos during an anti-terrorism operation. Despite the tragedy, their courage and patriotism are remembered annually as a testament to their unwavering dedication to the nation.