By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY – As his remains arrived at his residence in
Barangay Lux, Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte, people from all walks of life start
flocking to express their sympathies to the bereaved family.
The
body of the late Police Officer 3 Victoriano N. Acain, 32, one of the 44
Special Action Force (SAF) members killed in a bloody encounter with the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
(BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25, was brought home last Jan. 31.
Zamboanga
del Norte Vice Governor Senen O. Angeles said in an interview with the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) “the provincial government heartily
sympathized with the bereaved families, as we are deeply saddened by the sudden
demise of the 44 SAF members including PO3 Acain who lost their dear lives
while performing their law enforcement function.”
PO3
Acain and other SAF members went to Mamasapano town in Maguindanao to serve the
warrant of arrest to two most wanted terrorists, Zulkifli bin Hir, a Malaysian
bomb expert alias “Marwan” and his body Abdul Basit Usman, who were allegedly
hiding in the area.
“We
appealed to Acain’s wife, Cleofe, not to be discouraged and accept the fate of
her husband. You should be proud of your husband. He did not die in vain for he
died in pursuit of peace and order,” Angeles said adding, “the government is
doing its best to give justice to the death of the SAF troops. He also commended
the efforts of the PNP to maintain peace and order.
The
vice governor also appealed to the government to make sure that the peace process
will move on and consider the repercussion of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, as the
MILF, which is a party in the peace negotiation, was involved in the Mamasapano
incident.
Gutalac
police chief Senior Inspector Manolo Echon said Acain’s remains were brought to
his residence on Sunday in a convoy from Zamboanga City led by Police
Superintendent Redentor Retusto, deputy provincial director of the Zamboanga
del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO).
In
interview with Cleofe over the phone, she confirmed having talked with
President Benigno Aquino after the neurological mass and was assured of the
benefits that the fallen SAF troopers would get from the government. “But I
want justice for my husband for no amount of benefits/packages can bring his
life again,” Acain’s widow said.
Gutalac
Mayor Onesimo Coma Jr. together with his wife and some members of the Sangguniang
Bayan was among the first people to convey sympathies to the bereaved family.