During the Senate hearing of the Proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and attached agencies, Senator Joseph "JV" Ejercito mentioned the six survivors of the SAF 44 incident, including Lieutenant Colonel Raymund Train, saying "They should have been given an award."
Ejercito emphasizes that instead of getting a promotion, the six SAF-44 survivors were given a floating status while those who died received awards. "Kailangan pa bang mamatay para mabigyan ng award?" the senator added.
Lt. Col. Train was a ground commander during the conflict in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where 44 Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troops were killed in an encounter with members of local and international terrorist organizations.
