Army division personnel honor fallen soldier in Maguindanao clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): Army division personnel honor fallen soldier in Maguindanao clash

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Soldiers from the Army's 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division on Tuesday bade goodbye to a young soldier who died on Easter Sunday from injuries after a firefight last week with Moro bandits in Datu Saudi town in Maguindanao.

The cadaver of slain Pfc. Marlon Reyes was airlifted to Manila en route to his place of origin, Batangas City.

The slain infantry man belonged to the 14th Mechanized Company of the 1st Mechanized Battalion based in Shariff Aguak. He was among the troops hunting down outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

He died on Easter Sunday at a military hospital here.

Reyes was one of three soldiers wounded in a two-hour firefightwith BIFF in Barangay Pagatin, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Led by 6th ID officer in charge colonel Arnel dela Vega, soldiers gave Reyes plane-side honors at the Awang Airport loated beside the 6th ID headquarters.

“He was a very jolly person when not in uniform but very determined and dedicated in his duties as soldier," said Captain Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the 6th ID.

About 151 BIFF bandits, including three sub-commanders and 10 government forces were killed in the four-week military law enforcement operations in Maguindanao.

It also displaced 120,000 persons in Maguindanao's 13 of 36 municipalities. About 90,000 remained in evacuation centers after some have returned home.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=751357