Injured twin Negrense soldiers: ‘Always ready to fight for the country’

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 10): Injured twin Negrense soldiers: ‘Always ready to fight for the country’

The twin soldiers from Barangay Dulao, Bago City in Negros Occidental, who were injured in separate encounters in Marawi City, were one in declaring their readiness to fight for the country.

Corporal Rey Ga and his twin Private First Class Roy Ga, both 30, are scout rangers who were among the government troopers deployed to fight the Maute bandits since May 23.

Their older brother Roderick is also a scout ranger still fighting in Marawi.

Rey, who belongs to the 2nd Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, was first injured on the evening of May 27. He was hit in his left hand and his little finger was amputated.

While recuperating at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center in Quezon City, Rey said he has no regrets since being in battle is part of being a soldier.

“We are always ready to offer our lives for the country,” said Rey, who entered the military service in 2007.

Before his assignment in Lanao de Sur, he was deployed in Zamboanga, Samar, Jolo, and Basilan.

In a telephone interview on Sunday night, Rey said that when he learned that his brother Roy was also injured, he immediately called him up and was thankful when he learned that his condition was stable.

“I thank God that he is safe. Prayer is the ultimate weapon in any battle in life,” he said.

Roy, a member of the 4th Company, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, said in a separate interview Sunday night that he was hit by a shrapnel in his right leg around 7:00 p.m. on July 5.

A colleague brought him to a temporary medical center, and he was later moved to a hospital in Iligan City.

He is now recuperating at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.

Roy, who joined the military in 2011, said this was the first time he was injured in battle. “This is part of our obligation to serve the country,” he said, adding that he is always ready for the possibility to die in battle.

“We are praying for our older brother and fellow soldiers who are still fighting in Marawi,” he said.

Their sister Rosie posted on Facebook that she is very proud of her three brothers.

“We are blessed because they were given a second life. God is really good,” she added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/999925