MANILA - Unfulfilled promises of aid and cries for justice remain shadows over the families of the 44 policemen who died in the Mamasapano operation last January 25.

Virgie Viernes, widow of P02 Olibeth Viernes, said Sunday that justice remains elusive for the slain members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

The bereft wife also questioned the timing of the Senate's decision to reopen its inquiry into the clash between the PNP-SAF and Moro fighters.

"Ang ipinagtataka po namin bakit hintayin nila na mag-anibersaryo ang pagbubukas nila ng imbestigasyon. Matagal na po kaming humihingi ng hustisya para sa kanila. Bakit ngayon lang naisip na buksan ang imbestigasyon?" Viernes told radio dzMM.

Viernes also maintained that President Benigno Aquino III was ''ultimately responsible'' for the botched mission to neutralize Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his Filipino cohort Basit Usman.

"Kumabaga sa isang pamilya, may haligi po tayo ng tahanan. Siya po ang haligi natin, siya po ang ama ng bansa... Kung ano po ang obligasyon ng ama sa kanyang mga anak, ganoon din po sana siya," she said.

She also begged the President to punish those involved in the death of the SAF 44.

"Sir President, nagmamakaawa po kami, please po. Patuloy kaming nagsusumigaw ng hustisya para sa aming SAF 44. Ilabas na po ang mga tao na dapat managot sa karumal-dumal sa kanila," the widow said.

(READ: PNoy accepts responsibility, asks for understanding after Mamasapano)

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on January 27 is set to re-open its investigation on the clash.

Promises remain promises

Viernes added that the families of the slain policemen have yet to receive some of the aid promised by the government. "Tulong ng gobyerno? Hanggang ngayon, pangako pa rin po sila. Drawing lang po," she said

She said they are only relying on the monthly pension provided by the PNP and National Police Commission (Napolcom), and a P250,000 check from the Office of the President.

Viernes said the monthly pension is barely enough for the needs of her two children aged 12 and 8.

Merlyn Gamutan, another widow a SAF commando, said Saturday that they are still waiting for the educational, livelihood and housing benefits promised by the government.

The widow of C/Insp. Sakristan Gamutan added that government followed up on the condition of the SAF 44's families only recently.

"Kung hindi pa mag-one year (death anniversary), parang wala na. The rest of the months wala man lang, 'O, kamusta na kayo? Naibigay na ba sa inyo ang mga pangako?'" she said.