(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday paid tribute to the 44 police commandos from the Special Action Force (SAF) who were killed in combat against Islamist extremists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, nine years ago.

Speaking after laying a wreath for the 'Fallen 44' at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, the President said: 'It is now up to us, who lived, who benefitted from their full measure of devotion to duty, to build a kinder and gentler society, wherein those they have left behind can live in peace and prosperity. That is the mission they have left us to pursue when they did not return from their last patrol.'