Flag at half-mast for fallen soldiers in North Cotabato Army camp

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 24): Flag at half-mast for fallen soldiers in North Cotabato Army camp

The Philippine national flag was flown at half mast inside the headquarters of the 57th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Poblacion here as the Army paid respects and tribute to their fallen comrades.

Lt. Nasrullah Sema, speaking for the 57th IB, said the act was in recognition to the contribution of nine infantrymen who perished in a communist attack in the town of Tulunan, North Cotabato on Monday.

"We sympathize with the families of our comrades who died in line of duty that's why we have decided to fly the national flag at half-mast," the emotional Lt. Sema told reporters.

At the same time, Sema condemned the atrocities by the New Peoples Army, not only on the government forces but to civilians.

"It was normal for our combatants to suffer the fate in performance of our mandate," Sema said but added the act was brutal that, aside from blasting off a landmine which already maimed soldiers, they strafed the wounded and downed government forces.

Sema stressed that the use of landmine or weapon of mass destruction has been banned internally but the NPA guerillas are still using it.

Sema said the ambush on Monday in Barangay Bituan, Tulunan, North Cotabato was an overkill.

"It was so brutal and overkill, after the blast, some of our troops could have survived and live longer but the NPAs finished them off," he recalled.

Were the NPA rebels in the same situation, government forces would allow the wounded rebels to live by bringing them to the nearest hospital.

"We do not finish off a heavily wounded enemy because he cannot fight back anymore, so we need to bring him to the hospital for him to live after suffering injury in a legitimate battle," he explained.

Widows and children of slain soldiers were seeking for justice.

"My heart bleeds seeing young sons and daughters of our fallen comrades," Sema said.

Companion-soldiers of the fallen fighters took turns in consoling the wives and children during a wake inside the 57th IB camp where military honors were provided for them by Col. Noel dela Cruz, 57th IB chief.

Sema said the 57th IB will file charges against the National Democratic Front for violating the international humanitarian law, mine ban treaty and other rules of war.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=579831