PA dead in Isabela clash honored

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 25): PA dead in Isabela clash honored

The seven Army men killed in an encounter Saturday with traditionally Maoist New People’s Army rebels in a remote village in Echague town in Isabela were honored by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in rites at the 5th Infantry Division (ID) headquarters, Camp Melchor de la Cruz here the other day (Nov. 23). Gazmin was with Gen. Jessie Dellosa, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Army commanding general, during his visit to the 5th ID headquarters. In his message to the troops, Gazmin pointed out the need to always be vigilant and take the necessary measures. He later visited the injured troops and the families of the fatalities at the 5th ID station hospital. The fatalities were all members of the 5th ID’s reconnaissance company which had figured in an encounter with an undisclosed number of rebels at remote Barangay Mabbayad along the border of Echague town with mountain town San Mariano.

Gazmin awarded posthumous Medalya ng Kagitingan to the families of the victims, identified as 2nd Lt. Jimnah Torrepalma, 23, a fresh Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate from Bukidnon; Sgt. Eduardo Arguero, 35, of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya; Cpl. Jondy Lar Ebersole, 32, of Barangay Minabang, Ilagan City; newly wed Pfc Joemar Miguel, 25, of Dicamay, Jones; Pfc. Jerold Mina, 27 of Barangay Yeban Norte, Benito Soliven, whose wife is seven months pregnant; Pfc. Albert Lagua, 23, of Barangay Gagabutan, Rizal, Cagayan; and Pfc. Raul Alunday, 27, of Pinukpuk, Kalinga, who left a pregnant wife and a three-year old son. All except Alunday died on the spot during the nearly five-hour off-and-on encounter. Alunday died later in the hospital. Also given honor were wounded soldiers Pfc Robert Samut, Pfc. Randolf Claro, Pfc Angelito Asuncion, Pfc Kriel Pudoc, Pfc. Marlon Siddayao, Pfc. Sam Millares, Pfc. Jess Dimas and Pfc. Geron Valenzuela.

In addition, the eight wounded soldiers got financial assistance from the Isabela provincial government amounting to P5,000 each while P22,000 each was given to the families of the seven slain soldiers. Gazmin thanked Gov. Faustino Dy III for the financial assistance given to the casualties. The AFP also presented cheques to the wounded troops: sergeants were given P168,810; corporals, P145,965; and privates first class, P135,937. Scholarships were also awarded to to the children of the dead soldiers.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/7303-pa-dead-in-isabela-clash-honored