FOUR years after the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in the deaths of 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF), the families they left behind are asking the former SAF commander to be a “hero like his men” by turning state witness.

Telly Sumbilla, mother of Police Officer 3 (PO3) John Lloyd Sumbilla appealed to Getulio Napeñas, saying: “Do not be a coward. Have courage. Your men are to be pitied. You know what they did to them. My son’s body was chopped up. Please, have pity on us, mothers. We feel like the SAF 44 was abandoned.”