Mayor Rody turns over donation for fallen SAF
By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERAÂ and CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY
MAKING good his promise, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) P1 million for the children of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Duterte turned over a check worth P1 million to Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 deputy regional director for administration Police Chief Supt. Federico Dulay Jr. during the Parada Dabawenyo of the 78th Araw ng Davao at Rizal Park
Duterte said the assistance was to give honor to the fallen 44 SAF members, who died fighting for the country in that tragic encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) last January 25.
The P1 million will be used for the education of the slain cops’ children.
The local chief executive said he was able to raise the amount through the benevolent of five of his businessmen friends.
Duterte refused to name these businessmen, except to say they are the same persons who have been giving assistance to cancer patients in the city.
“Atong tagaan ug honor ang atong mga sundalo, mga pulis (Let’s give honor to our soldiers, our policemen),” Duterte told reporters.
Early this year, Duterte promised to the family of the fallen policemen that he will donate money for the education of their children.
“Nisaad man ta nga muhatag ta og kwarta sa ilaha. Wa man nisugot ang COA nga mukuha ta sa atong pundo mao nihangyo ko sa akong mga higalang datu (I promised them that I will donate money. But, the COA (Commission on Audit) said he cannot get the money from government funds, that’s why I asked help from my well-off friends),” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Duterte called on the national government to immediately revive the peace talks with the MILF and prevent the escalation of war in Mindanao.
“We cannot afford it (wat) because we do not want trouble,” Duterte said. “In civil war nobody wins, but everybody loses.”
He also does not want Christians, Muslims and the lumads oppressing each other.
“The Mindanao island is for all,” Duterte said.
