Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro FSC orders all public schools nationwide to observe 44 seconds of silence and one second for peace tuwing flag-raising ceremony pag Lunes to pay tribute to the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who perished during the Mamasapano incident. This will be done until the end of the schoolyear. Sabi niya, “Halos lahat pala sila ay nag-aral sa Public Elementary at High School, o may anak sa DepEd o asawa, kapatid, o nanay na teacher ng DepEd.”

Students from Oranbo Elementary School pay tribute to the 44 SAF heroes. 

Bitbit ang mga pangalan ng mga bayani, nagtirik ng kandila at tahimik na nanalangin ang 44 na mga mag-aaral sa DepEd Central Office, kasama ang mga kawani ng ahensya. Luistro said, “It is with profound sadness that we, as a Department, bear this loss, for the valiant 44 PNP-SAF heroes who count as our sons. News of their deaths triggered an expression of sorrow from teachers, administrators, and members of the DepEd family nationwide—they, too, had lost husbands, brothers, and former students.”

Public school students, parents, police officers, and DepED officials and personnel observe 44 seconds of silence to honor the bravery and heroism of the 44 SAF troopers. 

Ipinaalala din niya sa mga guro na ituro ang values ng heroism, bravery, tolerance, and compassion sa mga mag-aaral.

Diniin ni Secretary Luistro ang commitment ng pamahalaan sa pagsisiguro na may kasama ang mga naulilang pamilya sa kanilang pagluluksa. “We, along with other government agencies, will help take care of those left behind. While recovery from this loss will take time, we will ensure that the needs of widows, children, and families of the deceased are met.”

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC, students and teachers from Oranbo Elementary School lit candles to remember the lives of those who perished during the Mamasapano incident.

Dagdag pa ni Luistro, kasama ang scholarship para sa lahat ng naulilang mga anak at kapatid ng mga SAF Trooper sa mga ibibigay ng gobyerno sa 44 na pamilya (Scholarship package: P12,000 kada taon para sa elementarya at hayskul; at P22,000 kada semestre sa kolehiyo). Puwede rin silang kumuha ng libreng technical o vocational course sa TESDA.

Binanggit din niya na ang paghahangad ng kapayapaan ay hindi lang para sa mga taga-Mindanao kundi para sa buong bayan, at responsibility ng lahat na ipalaganap ito.

“There’s no other lesson for us but to pursue peace. So many people have died (in war), we must all work for peace,” he said.