A Tribute to Our Fallen SAF Heroes

A Tribute to Our Fallen SAF Heroes

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

To our courageous brothers, we salute you. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong sakripisyo! Dalangin namin na kayo ay nasa mas mabuti ng lugar kapiling ng ating panginoon.

Lord, we lift up to you each and every Filipinos who are now mourning, especially the families and friends of our fallen heroes.

For the families and friends, may they be comforted by your presence and be reminded of your word: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." Deut. 32:35

For the leaders in our country I pray that ¹⁹ You will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

For my countrymen, may we all learn to submit no matter how hard:

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴ For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

And for the Philippines, our beloved country, I'm holding on to this word:

Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Psalm 44:5-8

You are our rock, our redeemer. May your grace be upon us, oh Lord. Please save our country and bless our people. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.