SAF movie starring ER Ejercito elicits mixed reactions from netizens

MANILA – ER Ejercito, actor and former Laguna Governor, said on Monday that they are in the process of making a film about the 44 Special Action Forces (SAF) commandos massacred in the botched operation against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January.

Ejercito, also known as Jeorge Estregan, posted on his Facebook page a poster of the movie, which will be entitled “SAF Special Action Force”, with the subtitle Para sa Diyos, Para sa Bayan, Para sa Tao.

Under the direction of Pedring Lopez, Ejercito said the film will give honour to the Fallen 44.

“Bilang pagpupugay natin sa 44 bayani ng Elite PNP-SAF officers na nagbuwis ng buhay sa Mamasapano clash, isasapelikula ng inyong lingkod ang makulay na buhay at kabayanihan ng ating mga magigiting na sundalo upang mabigyan ng tamang pagkilala at pagpupugay ang #Fallen44,” Estrada said in the caption accompanying the poster.

(“In honour of the 44 heroes of the Elite PNP-SAF officers who gave their lives in the Mamasapano clash, I shall be enacting on film the colorful lives and the heroism of our brave soldiers in order to give proper recognition and honour to the #Fallen 44.”)

The announcement, however, was met with mixed reactions from netizens; many of whom felt the movie was a mockery of the deaths of the commandos, and that the timing of the movie was too premature, given that the tragedy took place on last month.