THE Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) on Thursday, December 14, accorded funeral honors to a fallen marine soldier who died fighting the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.

Sergeant Randy Cariaso of the 62nd Marine Company under the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu (PMRF-S) was killed in a firefight with some 50 Abu Sayyaf bandits on Wednesday, December 13, on Minis Island, Patikul, Sulu.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, NFWM commander, said the firefight ensued when the marines conducted amphibious operation following the reported presence of the Abu Sayyaf bandits at the mangrove area of Minis Island.

Medina said seven Abu Sayyaf bandits and Cariaso were killed. Three other marine soldiers were wounded.

Medina said the NFWM and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) express their sympathy to the family of the “fallen marine hero.”

The NFWM commander said Cariaso’s comrades assure that his death will not be in vain, that they will carry on the fight to bring back the peace in the Western Mindanao region. (SunStar Philippines)