ZAMBO TOLL | 3 brave, young officers, PMA grads all, among the dead in 15-day siege

From InterAksyon (Sep 24): ZAMBO TOLL | 3 brave, young officers, PMA grads all, among the dead in 15-day siege



So brave and promising officers, yet tragically gone too soon--from left, John Kristopher Rama, Francis Damian and Florencio Meneses.

The drawn-out battle to liberate Zamboanga City from the Nur Misuari-led faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has already claimed the lives of three bright, brave, young officers who were all products of the prestigious Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Topping the list was 1Lt. John Kristopher Rama, who was killed in a fierce battle in Barangay Sta. Barbara on September 19, at around 5:18 a.m.

Rama, 30, led his platoon from the 1st Light Reaction Company (LRC) of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in the assault of enemy positions. They had already killed several MNLF men at the time he was felled by enemy fire.

Rama, a native of Norzagaray, Bulacan, was a member of PMA “Baghawi” (Bagong Halaw ng Lahi or New Filipino Race) Class of 2008. He was married with one child.

On Sept. 21, 2Lt. Florencio Mikael Meneses, was hit by a sniper’s bullet at 6 a.m. as he led clearing operations in Barangay Sta. Catalina. He was rushed to the Ciudad Zamboanga Hospital, where he was treated before he succumbed to his injuries at around 4:40 a.m. on Sept. 23.

A native of Barangay Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan, the snappy member of PMA “Laon Alab” Class of 2011 died a hero. He died on the day of girlfriend’s birthday.
The 27-year-old hero was considered among the brave members of the 7th Scout Ranger Company of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion based in Basilan.

The third PMA grad that the AFP lost in the Zamboanga siege was 1Lt. Francis Damian, 28 years old, of PMA “Maragtas” Class of 2007. He was wounded in a close-quarter battle in Barangay Sta. Barbara at 4:45 p.m. of Sept. 23 when he and his men fought a big contingent of MNLF men.

Seriously wounded, Damian still managed to smile and encourage his troops, his men recalled, as he led the press against enemy lines.

The Maragtas officer, a member of the 3rd LRC of the Light Reaction Battalion of SOCOM, unfortunately did not survive his injuries. He died at 8:40 a.m. on Sept. 24 while being treated at the Ciudad Zamboanga Hospital.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/71422/zambo-toll--3-brave-young-officers-pma-grads-all-among-the-dead-in-15-day-siege