ON Jan. 25, 2015, 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) officers were massacred in an anti-terror operation that went horribly wrong. Five years later, does anyone remember their great sacrifice and how that fateful raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao could have been avoided? Does the public know what really happened?
In March, Anvil Publishing Inc. will release Oplan Exodus: The Story of the Gallant 44, a nonfiction account of not only the ill-fated clash between the PNP-SAF and Muslim terrorists, but the circumstances that led up to it and its chaotic aftermath.
The book, written by Margarita “Tingting” R. Cojuangco, is a documented account of the state of the global security’s influence on our national security. For this, the book is expected to be a valuable resource for the general public to know the sacrifice of the SAF 44 and who they fought with, and harness that knowledge to attain peace.
“I want to honor the Special Action Force who were killed, officers and non-officers, regardless of rank,” Cojuangco, who was president of the Philippine Public Safety College for 10 years under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said in a statement. “And the public must [know] about Oplan Exodus so as not to commit the same mistakes and for the rebels to respect the [state] institutions and peace agreements.”
“Many are unaware that men in uniform risk their lives for us daily. May this book elevate the reputation of our men on the frontlines and be a step to forge peace between Christians and Muslims,” she added.
Oplan Exodus: The Story of the Gallant 44 will be available at select National Book Store branches, and online through www.anvilpublishing.com and www.national bookstore.com.