A YOUNG soldier was brought home to a grieving community.
The remains of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni, Second Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico, arrived in Mt. Data, Bauko, Mountain Province Wednesday morning, April 22.
Major General Manolito Orense, deputy of the Army Public Affairs Office, said Abibico was brought home in the morning of April 22.
Abibico was one of the three soldiers killed in an encounter with the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, April 19.
PMA, meanwhile, mourned and prayed for the eternal repose of the soul of Abibico, who was a member of PMA "Alab Tala" Class of 2018.
"We are eternally grateful for your service, Ralf. You will be sorely missed," PMA said in a statement.
PMA also extended its sincerest condolences to the bereaved families and friends of Abibico and the two men.
Abibico was part of the 94th Infantry Battalion conducting community security patrols in Carabalan to beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Covid-19-affected families in the area.
Orense said assistance was given to fallen soldiers, including burial aid to help the bereaved families.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade Command conducted a send-off ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, with full military honors given to the three fallen soldiers at Silay International Airport, Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Among the slain were Private First Class Carl Venice Bustamante from Surallah, South Cotabato and Corporal Joel Nobleza from Jamindan, Capiz.
In a statement, Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said: "In honor of their sacrifice for the nation, we assure that all the processing of their benefits will be taken care of and all necessary assistance will be extended to their families. On behalf of the 303rd Infantry Brigade and the whole Philippine Army, we salute you!"
Pasaporte said the soldiers will continue with their community security patrols in Himamaylan City and in Negros Island in order to allow the unhampered and swift distribution of the SAP in the region.
Earlier, the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Western Visayas, in an official statement, condemned the "treacherous and cowardly act" of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA terrorists against the members of the Army's 94th Infantry Battalion.
"The dastardly move of the CNTs is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law, which this Task Force solidly denounces such act," the statement noted.
The task force also expressed its condolences to the bereaved family of the three fallen soldiers, "who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the lives of the people to ensure peace and development in Western Visayas."
Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. said the Provincial Government of Mountain Province condoles with the bereaved families of all those who perished in separate skirmishes between government forces and terrorist groups.
Aside from Abibico of Mt. Data Cliff, Monamon Sur, Bauko, Mountain Province, the governor also cited four Cordillerans who were among the 11 killed in a gunfight with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sitio Pisak, Danag, Patikul, Sulu on April 17.
The slain soldiers were Private First Class Benson A. Bongguic of Sagada, Mountain Province; Corporal Jomar A. Niñalga of Monamon Norte, Bauko, Mountain Province; Corporal John Michael T. Manodom of Km. 4 Asin Road, Baguio City; and Corporal Razul B. Ao-as of Pasil, Kalinga.
"In view of these aimless killings, I enjoin everyone to pray for divine intervention that will not only heal and protect our people from the Covid-19 but will also provide strength to the weak and the suffering, especially to all families left behind and to those who were wounded in the latest armed battles. Let us also pray for enlightenment among heartless individuals who continue to wreak havoc for personal gains," he added.