WHEREAS, on 25 January 2015, at least forty-four officers and personnel of the Philippine National Police ™s Special Action Force were killed in the line of duty during an operation to serve a warrant of arrest against a suspected criminal in Maguindanao;

WHEREAS, these deaths are a great loss to our people and during this time of grief, a most solemn commemoration and respect is called for; and

WHEREAS, the nation is in solidarity with and joins in the grieving of the families and friends of our fallen brothers in the police force.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and law, do hereby proclaim 30 January 2015 as a day of national mourning, in solidarity with the bereaved families of the slain.

The entire nation is requested to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims and for our people to reclaim our sense of humanity.

Further, I instruct all public institutions and military installations in the Philippines to lower the Philippines flag to half-mast on 30 January 2015.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila this 28th day of January, in the Year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Fifteen.

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR.
Executive Secretary