DR. Christine Cempron was looking forward to a post-Valentine date with her husband, PO1 Romeo Cempron, whom she planned to visit in Zamboanga City on February 17.
She even bought a Valentines card for the occasion.
But the policeman whom she fondly calls “Meo” will never get to read the message which she wrote on the card.
PO1 Cempron was among the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died in a battle in Mamasapano in Maguindanao on January 25 while trying to enforce the arrest warrant on bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan.”
Dr. Cempron said she will have to content herself with happy memories that they shared particularly during their travels around the country.
“Though he is gone. I know he has a special way of telling me that he is still with me and (that) he loves me,” she said.
Michelle Candano, the widow of PO2 Windel Candano, said she was also planning a surprise visit to Zamboanga City with their son, Sian Gabriel, to spend Valentine’s Day with her husband.
But their plans came to naught because of his sudden death.
Now that her husband is gone, Michelle said she will celebrate Valentine’s Day with their son while she also continues to await for justice to be served for her husband’s death.
Michelle said she is saddened by a future where she will never receive a Valentine’s card or a bouquet of flowers from her husband.
“He gave me flowers and cards even if it’s not Valentine’s Day. He was a sweet husband and a sweet father to our son,” she said.
While PO2 Candano was away, he would always find means to speak with her and their son, Sian Gabriel. They would speak on the phone for hours to plan their future or just to exchange words of love.