Westmincom honors 5 slain soldiers

THE military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) afforded full military honors to the five soldiers who were killed in a clash on Friday, November 16, against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.

The full military honors were rendered on Monday, November 19, when the remains of the five slain soldiers were sent home aboard a C-130 “Hercules” plane to their respective hometowns.

Fully honored were the following: Corporal John Raphy Francisco, Ilagan City, Isabela; Corporal Renhart Macad, Tabuk City, Kalinga; Corporal Bryan Apalin, Tineg, Abra; Corporal Marlon Manuel, Cauayan City, Isabela; and Private Frist Class John Labbutan, Rizal, Kalinga.

They were killed in a clash against some 50 Abu Sayyaf bandits led by sub-leader Almujer Yadah in the village of Liang, Patikul, Sulu.

The clash broke out while they were conducting intensified military operations in a bid to rescue the six remaining hostages from the hands of the bandits.

The six remaining hostages include two foreigners--one Vietnamese and one Dutch--and four Filipinos.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, Westmincom information officer, said reports gathered from the community that some 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed during the clash.

Twenty-four soldiers, including a junior officer, were wounded during the clash. They were admitted at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu and Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.

General Carlito Galvez, Jr., Armed Forces chief-of-staff on Sunday visited them and awarded them Wounded Personnel Medal for gallantry in action.

“Our soldiers really fought and have sacrificed their own lives just to attain peace in Jolo,” Galvez said.

“Up-close and intensive firefight within one and half hour of serious encounter, we see a higher probability of having bigger number of casualties,” he said.

“We are gaining headway, but Sulu, has been a bigger challenge for us that we have to solve,” he added.

Those awarded with WPM by Galvez are the following: 2nd Lieutenant Michael Vincent Benito; Staff Sergeant Rex Cureg; Reynante Ruma, Jerson Barasi, and Romeo Barbon with the rank of Sergeant; Eugene Corpuz, Felix Jay Castillo, Geneus Calamcam and Bingbong Salvador with the rank of Corporal.

Also awarded were Harvie Soriano, John Paul Layugan, Ruben Bulayang, Kreal Manaligod, Derver Lambino, Marnel Piduana, Sandoval Ludivico, London Longawis, Jordan Magundayao, Gervil Lorenzo, and Aldron Paj-dio with the rank of Private First Class.

Privates Jaime Boco Jr., Rizalde Tierro, Murphy Cuntapay, and Jayperson Balac were, likewise, awarded WPM.

Galvez said that financial assistance was also given to the wounded soldiers “to boost their morale and of course to see to it that our soldiers are being taken cared of properly.”

“Westmincom recognizes the heroism of our troops and we empathize with their respective families for the loss. This is the ultimate sacrifice our soldiers pay just to ensure that peace can be won in this part of the country,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief. (SunStar Philippines)