Philippine military mourns deaths of soldiers

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Mar 6): Philippine military mourns deaths of soldiers





Departure honors for slain army lieutenants in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines in these photos released by the Western Mindanao Command to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The Philippine military mourns the death of three soldiers who were killed in a recent ambush by Abu Sayyaf rebels in southern Philippines.

Those killed in Sulu’s Patikul town were 1Lt. Emerson Somera, of Abra province; 1Lt. Fernan Magbanua, from Iloilo; and Sgt. Niel Daez, of Pagadian City. Six other soldiers were wounded in the attack - Sgt. Julieto Payumo, Pfc. Ramil Akiatan, Je-ar Sumagang, Nasser Adian, Samuel Quinones and Cpl. Carlos Baguio.

The soldiers were on a convoy of three trucks when the Abu Sayyaf detonated a roadside bomb.

The 3^rd Air Division and Joint Task Force ZAMBASULTA under Western Mindanao Command also rendered departure honors on March 6 to the slain army officers before sending their bodies to their grieving families. 

Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said Somera and Magbanua were accorded one of the highest combat awards during the Zamboanga Siege in September 2013. They were the first responders who defended the city from Moro National Liberation Front rebels who attacked Zamboanga.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines extends its deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of the departed,” said Lieutenant General Guerrero. “Today marks the dedication and sacrifices that our fallen comrades have made as the AFP strives to fulfill its mandate to protect the people and preserve the security of the State.”

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/03/philippine-military-mourns-deaths-of.html