Dee, Villar praise members of slain SAF from Cordillera

By Peter Balocnit  

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Presidential sister Victoria Eliza “Viel” Aquino-Dee and Sen. Cynthia Villar praised the 44 members of the  Philippine National Police-Special Action Force most of them of them from the Cordillera, for  heroism and bravery during the Jan. 25 Mamasapano encounter in Maguindanao.

Aquino-Dee, who was the guest speaker during the Feb. 16 “Awong Chi Gangsa”  in  celebration of the 20th Kalinga Day and 2015 Ullalim Festival, honored fallen heroes, two of them from Kalinga, for sacrificing their lives for the sake of the country.

“Let the sound and echo of Thousand Gongs honor the SAF 44 and bring the message of peace to all our countrymen regardless of religion, beliefs and culture,” she said.

Awong Chi Gangsa or the Call of a Thousand Gongs participated by more than 2,000 male and female dancers in their native attire was the highlight of the 20th Kalinga Day celebration.

Meanwhile, Villar, guest speaker on Feb. 17, said she was proud of the gallantry of Cordillerans in peace missions.

“I know that your region is really in mourning dahillabintatlosa 44 nayumaong SAF ay muladitosa Cordillera, dalawasakanila ay galingsaKalinga.” “Magbigay pugay tayo sa kanilang kadakilaan,” she said.

On information 65% of SAF forces come from Cordillera, she said “That is also something to be really proud of. 

Nagpapatunay lamang iyan na kayo ay mga peace-loving people at handang itaya ang inyong buhay para ipaglaban ang kapayapaan sa ating bayan. Ginagamit ninyo ang inyong katapangan at kagitingan para ipagtanggol ang ating bayan,” to applause of the jampacked capitol gym.