'We need justice, not justification,' cop chief says

KORONADAL CITY - City Mayor Peter Miguel andPolice Senior Supt. Nestor Salcedo on Friday led the citypolice and the people of Koronadal in candle lighting ceremony and holy massto honor 44 fallen members of the PNP elite Special Action Force who died in Maguindanao clash.Salcedo, chief of Koronadal City PNP andan alumnus of the premier Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), issued a strongly worded statement. I am enjoining everybody to pray for our fallen comrades, with this, and what I have seen in TV we need justice and not justification,” he said.He waswas trying to contain his emotions while giving tribute to the cops brutally killedin Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25. Salcedo said members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) gave up their lives for the country. The 44 fallen heroes, they gave their ultimate sacrifice for public service, for the people, they died with their combat shoes on,” Salcedo told hundreds of people who joined the necrological service for the killed SAF troopers. Salcedo, who was once part or the elite SAF, said that nine of those killed during a clash with members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao were his PNPA under class men. They were a big loss to the country, the government has spent millions of pesos for their training here andabroad,” Salcedo said. Police Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas who hails from Banga, South Cotabato was one of the SAF members killed in action. Her sister Ray Anne was also present during the necrological service for the fallen SAF members. The younger Pabalinas appealed to the government for immediate solution to peace and order problem in some parts of Mindanao. I am appealing to the Philippine government and to everybody to stop blaming, those policemen died and we can’t do anything about this. Instead let us unite to solve this problem, to attain justice,” she told DXOM FM Koronadal Saturday. The mass initiated by the local government was held at the city hall lobby andattended by employees of the city government, representatives from various sectors, policemen and the common people. During the tribute for the slain cops after the mass, many of those present during the service were trying to contain their emotions. But many quietlylet go off the tears. Candles and flowers were offered by thepeople of Koronadal to sympathize with the families of the Fallen 44.