Army hails perished soldiers in Zamboanga siege

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Oct 4): Army hails perished soldiers in Zamboanga siege





A group of former rebels-turned-soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion help defend Zamboanga City against Moro National Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division on Friday has recognized the bravery of its soldiers who died fighting separatist rebels in Zamboanga City.

Troops clashed for three weeks with Moro National Liberation Front rebels under Nur Misuari who stormed several villages on September 9. The fighting killed and wounded over 400 people.

“As the smoke of standoff subsides, different acts of heroism emerged to tell their own story in the historic defence of Zamboanga City against organize threat groups under Nur Misuari.  But two members of 1st Infantry Division will no longer tell their stories to their families and friends. They were among those killed during the crisis,” said Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr.

He said 33 of 192 soldiers wounded in the clashes are also under the Division.

The two slain soldiers – Pfc. Julmuin Abdulahid and Cpl. Hakim Jaafar – both from the 32 Infantry Battalion, were former MNLF rebels who were integrated in the military after the signing of the 1996 peace accord with the government.

Abdulahid was a native of Indanan town while Jaafar was from Parang town, all in Sulu province.

Abdulahid was killed when the fighting erupted in Santa Barbara village while Jaafar was slain on September 30 in the same area while defending the village from the rebels.

Trinidad said he sympathized not only to the bereaved families of the two fallen troopers, but also of other soldiers.

“Before, they were among our brothers who took arms against the state, now they are heroes defending our state. They were true to their oath of loyalty to the Philippine Flag. The Division was very lucky having them, they are warriors and heroes, and they will never be forgotten,” he said.

http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2013/10/army-hails-perished-soldiers-in.html