The 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force who perished in clash in Maguindanao — all heroes on the battlefield — will not be forgotten and, so, too, by extension, their families.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) announced that it is offering scholarships to qualified dependents of the troops based on the government’s Social Services Program for the Families of Killed in Action Soldiers and Police Personnel.
“We are expressing our prayers for the bereaved families of the SAF men. The nation is grateful for the sacrifices of our troops,” Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva said.
“These scholarships for free technical vocational education will be a lasting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice,” Villanueva added.
The surviving SAF men and their dependents can also avail of the scholarships, he said.
“Giving educational assistance to the families of the SAF commandos would help them for the rest of their lives,” he added.
Villlanueva said he has instructed all concerned Tesda provincial and district offices to get in touch with the dependents of the SAF men and discuss the scholarship opportunities.