LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The municipalities of Kabayan and Mankayan commemorated the tenth-year death anniversary of their sons who sacrificed their lives in the Mamasapano encounter in Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.
The community gathered in Barangay Eddet in Kabayan to remember and pay tribute to the gallantry and sacrifices of Police Officer 2 Peterson Indongsan Carap, one of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF), 14 of them Cordillerans, who perished in that tragic incident which was aimed at neutralizing Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, a suspected international terrorist.
The local government led by Acting Mayor Mike Badival, Eddet barangay officials led by Punong Barangay Eric Postino, Benguet 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company led by Force Commander PLtCol. Renny Lizardo, with the Kabayan Municipal Police Station and the family and relatives of PO2 Carap led a wreath laying ceremony.
It was followed by the traditional military honors and a simple program. Pupils of the Eddet Elementary School rendered a song honoring the bravery of their fallen ‘kailian’.
The Kabayan LGU thru Proclamation 01-2015 has declared January 25 of every year as “PO2 Peterson Indongsan Carap Heroes Day” in the municipality of Kabayan.
“The people of Kabayan will forever be grateful to the gallant SAF44 whose stories, struggles, trials, triumphs, failures, heroic deeds and death have made us proud and transformed a condemnable, ignominious and senseless battle into a spirit of revitalization and magnanimous hope, making themselves an instrument of God ensuring that every Filipino and all the citizens of the world will live and see another peaceful and orderly day,” the proclamation stated.
Councilor Rex Aquisan explained that the “PO2 Carap Heroes Day” pays tribute to the struggles and sacrifices of their local town hero, and to instill in the hearts and minds of the people of Kabayan and of the province of Benguet especially to the younger ones this act of heroism which is worthy of emulating.
In Mankayan town, the Municipal Police Station led by Acting Chief PMaj. Avelmar Renan Garambas commemorated and honored the SAF 44 by lighting candles, offering flowers and prayers at the SAF Memorial at the Lepanto National High School (LNHS).
Three of the SAF heroes were alumni of the LNHS namely; PO3 Noel Golocan from Mankayan and Sagada, Mountain Province; PO1 Angel Kodiamat of Bontoc, Mountain Province, and PO1 Noble Kiangan of Mankayan.
In Baguio City, family members of the Cordillera SAF heroes gathered for the Day of National Remembrance at the SAF 44 Memorial at the Ifugao Park, The Manor, Camp John Hay, led by the Police Regional Office Cordillera and the hotel management.
The other Cordillera SAF heroes were PO1 Gringo Cayang-o of Sadanga, Mountain Province; PO2 Jerry Kayob of La Trinidad, Benguet; PO2 Walner Danao of Irisan, Baguio City; PSI Gednat Tabdi of La Trinidad, Benguet; PSI Cyrus Anniban of Balbalan, Kalinga; PO3 Robert Allaga of Banaue, Ifugao; PO2 Franklin Danao of Tinoc, Ifugao; PO2 Nicky De Castro Nacino Jr. of Baguio City and Aurora Province; PO1 Russel Bilog of Tabuk City, Kalinga and Sagada, Mountain Province. (JDP/RMC-PIA-CAR) (photos from PNP)
