QuestionsQuestions (PROCLAMATION NO. 164)
January 25 of every year.
On 25 January 2015, forty-four (44) SAF personnel were killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant of arrest on a known terrorist in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
The heroic sacrifice of forty-four (44) uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF 44).
It intends to honor SAF 44’s memory and serve as a constant reminder of continuing sacrifices made by uniformed men and women in the line of duty.
It was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. It was attested by Salvador C. Medialdea, Executive Secretary.
It asks all countrymen to remember the heroism of the SAF 44 and recall the daily sacrifices of uniformed personnel for continued peace and security.
They provide the factual and policy context—what happened, who was involved, and why the proclamation is being issued—helping interpret the intent and scope of the declared remembrance day.
The text does not explicitly declare a holiday or non-working day. It merely proclaims a “Day of National Remembrance,” implying a commemorative observance rather than an automatic holiday status.
It follows standard form for Presidential issuances: signature of the President, affixation of the Republic’s seal, and countersignature/attestation by the Executive Secretary, indicating proper exercise of delegated or established authority.
The proclamation frames SAF 44’s heroism not only as remembrance but as a reminder of the ongoing sacrifices by all uniformed personnel in the pursuit of national peace and security.
It identifies the exact group being commemorated and underscores the memorial purpose—ensuring the remembrance day is tied to the particular SAF 44 incident and victims.
It resembles an executive/Presidential proclamation used for public observances and policy declarations—commemorative in nature—rather than a statute passed by Congress.
It declares “the 25th day of January of every year as the Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44.”