Filipinos mourn for fallen #Tagaligtas troops

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos offered their prayers for the 44 fallen officers of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and expressed support for the families of the officers through words and art. 

The somber messages that flooded social media were short yet very emotional.

Government offices nationwide also lowered their flags to half-mast as the Philippines observed a National Day of Mourning on Friday, January 30. 

Words of sympathy

Many Filipinos, like Evan Martinez Japson, were moved to tears for the men and their families. 

“I don’t know any of them but it moved me to tears whenever I see and hear news about them. My sincerest condolences to the wife, son, daughter, parents, fiances of the fallen PNP-SAF… Stay strong” Japson wrote on his Facebook post.

For graphic artists like Paul Valle, no words could approximate the feeling of grief that looms over the nation.

He created a simple graphic design as his “little way of honoring the #SAF44 who died doing what they’ve sworn to do – protecting our nation.”

More graphics artists have put out their own work as well:

Creative Republiq @creativerep pays respect to the #SAF44 #tagaligtas hereos through this simple artwork pic.twitter.com/BnQKmrZN6X

— MovePH (@MovePH) January 30, 2015

Here are just few of the words of sympathy offered by netizens for the slain troops: 

“I do not know the dignity of his birth, but I do know the glory of his death.” #Tagaligtas #Fallen44 #YouAreMoreThanANumber

— Kristine Karen (@dream_some) January 30, 2015 

Your blood gave life to the oath you swore before flag and country. Ang pinakamataas na parangal ay katarungan. #SAF44 #Tagaligtas

— Aldan S. Avila (@DanAvTheMan) January 30, 2015

Fallen but not forgotten. You served our country well. #Fallen44 #Tagaligtas

— Jia Manlutac (@jiamanlouxx) January 30, 2015

Hindi ko maiwasan maiyak kapag naiisip ko ung naging kapalaran ng mga police na namatay #Fallen44 #JusticeForTheFallen44 #Tagaligtas

— chessgirl17 (@iamaquariangirl) January 30, 2015

And deepest condolences to the family of our fallen heroes #SAF44 No words can alleviate d sorrow in ur hearts. Lord bless them! #Tagaligtas

— DARA4EVER ♥ (@talabels) January 30, 2015

A soldier never fights because of what is in front of him rather on what they have left behind. Salamat mga #Tagaligtas! #Fallen44 #SAF44

— Jessryl James Lorio (@jameshasspoken) January 30, 2015

Thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedom. Fallen but not forgotten. #Tagaligtas #Fallen44 pic.twitter.com/9gtL8leKfD

— Dye Re Mi (@dye_re_mi) January 30, 2015 

Today, we pray and mourn for our #Fallen44 heroes. Tomorrow, we demand leadership and seek justice. #RIP #Tagaligtas #SAF44

— EJohn Mark Rubi (@ItsEjohnMark) January 30, 2015

@MovePH By bringing to justice those who did it, including the masterminds. You cannot honor just by saying Thanks and look the other way.

— Diary of A Wimpy Mgr (@rodhatesworld) January 30, 2015 

“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” #Fallen44 you have served well. #Tagaligtas

— Seth Norman (@imSETHYniknowit) January 30, 2015

Flags for the fallen

Flags in Luneta are at half-mast today for the country’s mourning of the 44 soldiers who died @MovePH pic.twitter.com/fjHe0SD3dg

— Isay Yason (@isayyason) January 30, 2015

The Philippine flag at the Oblation Plaza, UP Diliman, flies at half mast in honor of the fallen #SAF44 members. pic.twitter.com/GpMxsaGXTZ

— UP System (@upsystem) January 30, 2015

#PHLPost PH Flag at half-mast to honor #SAF44 #Tagapagligtas #Fallen44 @PNPhotline @pnppio pic.twitter.com/OEU28jIp0i

— PHLPost OFFICIAL (@Ppostofficial) January 30, 2015

Shadow of the Philippine flag at half-mast at Eastern Samar Provincial Capitol #SaludoSaSAF44 #Tagapagligtas pic.twitter.com/u2UyiemN3N

— RedMattt (@reddennmatt) January 30, 2015

Tangalan Elementary School in Aklan puts their flag at half mast in honor of the #SAF44 #Tagaligtas via @whonskatt pic.twitter.com/VACWJemxmR

— MovePH (@MovePH) January 30, 2015

Flag at Saint Paul School of Business & Law in Tacloban at half-mast for #Saf44 #Tagaligtas heroes via @MeganMengullo pic.twitter.com/F5TMVD9Vko

— MovePH (@MovePH) January 30, 2015

Half-Mast Flag in our School … Mourning for the 44 Policemen who died last Sunday at Mindanao #Justice pic.twitter.com/UuXOaMttdX

— Molly (@BastilleMolly) January 30, 2015

Justice  

Besides grief, netizens also went to town expressing their anger at the tragic series of events. Many demanded justice for the death of the 44 policemen whose only fault, according to netizens, was to follow orders. 

“My prayers are being offered to these valiant, young SAF officers and heroes, whose demise was because they were following orders from the military chain of command. Let there be no finger pointing at this stage, let us respect the feelings of the bereaved, and not stoke the feeling of anger thru blame-game which is an exercise in futility,” Myrna Borlagdan-Bobis appealed. 

@MovePH By bringing to justice those who did it, including the masterminds. You cannot honor just by saying Thanks and look the other way.

— Diary of A Wimpy Mgr (@rodhatesworld) January 30, 2015

@rapplerdotcom Salute! My heart bleeds for them and the families they left behind.JUSTICE for our heroes!

— jo t. romero (@romerojo) January 30, 2015

Nakakasakit ng puso at nakakagalit ang nangyari sa mga Special Forces. Justice please! #MaguindanaoClash

— Calliope Lopez (@calliope_enigma) January 30, 2015

Nakikiisa po ako sa National Day of Mourning. Justice for the #Fallen44 must be served. My deepest sympathy to the bereaved families.

— Romeo Navidad (@ronavidad) January 30, 2015

How would you best honor their sacrifice? Share your words of sympathy and support for the families of the 44 SAF officers. – Rappler.com