|
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Marine chief gets emotional farewell
By Lino dela Cruz
Iligan Correspondent
MARAWI CITY -- The embattled Marine veteran who fought Moro rebels in Mindanao cried as he bade farewell to his troops during the turnover ceremony Wednesday at the Philippine Marines 1st Brigade headquarters in Kampo Ranao.
Colonel Ariel Querubin, outgoing commanding officer of the Philippine Marines 1st Brigade, turned over the command to Colonel Luisito Marcelin.
The simple turnover ceremony was presided by Brigadier General Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, commanding general of Task Force Ranao, which has supervision over two Marine brigades with jurisdiction in Iligan and Marawi Cities, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.
"It was a smooth turnover, everything went well, but I saw some members of the troops holding their tears while the tearful Colonel Querubin bade them farewell," Dolorfino said, describing the scene as emotional.
"It was really an emotional and tearful scene seeing the Marines, who are hardened by combat, on the verge of crying or actually crying as their commanding officer bade them goodbye," said Faisal Datumanong, chief of the Land Transportation Office in the city.
In his short talk, the now changed and calm Querubin reaffirmed his loyalty to the military, the Marines in particular, and to the duly constituted authority.
Marawi City Mayor Omar Solitario Ali, Lanao del Sur acting Governor Monera Macabangon, several town mayors of the province, and some top officials of local government agencies attended the turnover ceremony.
Only selected guests were allowed to go up to the office of the Marines 1st Brigade commander on a hill overlooking Marawi City, where the turnover ceremony was held.
Querubin earlier requested camp security to allow all his friends and guests to attend the activity but was refused.
Dolorfino did not reveal what would become of Querubin after the ceremony. He was immediately whisked to a waiting vehicle, which would bring him to Cagayan de Oro City airport for his flight back to Manila.
Querubin figured in a controversy when he protested the relief of Marines Commandant Renato Miranda last week.
Querubin, together with some other Marines, massed inside the headquarters of the Philippine Marines at Fort Bonifacio, causing a standoff at the military camp, to protest Miranda's relief.
His call for help triggered another gathering of civilians outside Fort Bonifacio either out of curiosity or to give support to Querubin and the troops. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(March 2, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Earthquake jolts capital, shakes buildings