WestMinCom honors fallen soldiers

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 4): WestMinCom honors fallen soldiers

The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conferred military honors to the six soldiers who were killed in an ambush last Sunday in Sumisip, Basilan.

WestMinCom information officer Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, in a statement sent to the Manila Bulletin here, said WestMinCom commander Lt. General Rustico Guerrero and Naval Forces of Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma led the funeral honors inside the Naval Station, Romulo Espaldon in Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City last Monday

“Today marks the sacrifices that our fallen comrades have made to defend the province of Basilan and preserve the constitutional duty of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Guerrero said.

“We stand as witnesses of the courage and dedication that our soldiers have portrayed to protect our territorial integrity”, he added.

Killed during the encounter were 2nd  Lt. June G. Corpuz of Cabaloan, Bacnotan, La Union; Sergeant Tranquilino G. Germo, Private First Class (PFCs) Freddie G. Pandoy and Rolando P. Entera of Aleosan, North Cotabato, Raffy E. Canuto of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat and Mark Anthony F. Singson of Pigkwayan, North Cotabato.

Wounded was PFC Marvin T. Paragosa who hails from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Paragosa is now undergoing medical treatment at Camp Navarro General Hospital, Captain Muyuela said.

On Tuesday morning, the remains of the six soldiers were returned to their respective families.

The formal investigation on the ambush incident started yesterday, according to Muyuela.

Pursuit operations are still on going against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members who were responsible for the ambush-slaying of the soldiers.

“The Abu Sayyaf suffered undetermined number of casualties because of the pursuit operations,”Muyuela said in the statement.

http://www.mb.com.ph/westmincom-honors-fallen-soldiers/