MORE NEWS, ILOCOS SUR

PMA topper buried in town rites

STO. DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur – Thousands of provincial and municipal officials and residents attended the burial rites for Air Force Lt. Ariel Toledo at the Aglipayan cemetery in Barangay Kamestizoan, this town on Sept. 15.

A mourner wore a hat in which “We will miss you Ariel” was written. The mourners accompanied Toledo’s casket from his residence to the cemetery where the burial ceremony took place at 11:30 a.m.

The deceased was given full military honors highlighted by a 21-gun salute by soldiers of the Philippine Air Force.

Sto. Domingo Mayor Floro “Butch” Tadena was expressed sadness over the death of Toledo during the necrological service.

Lieutenant Toledo died at the AFP Medical Center on V. Luna St., Quezon City after a few months of fighting a liver cancer.

“Ariel Toledo is our soldier, our hero, he always remains in the heart of the people of Sto. Domingo. A soldier does not die, he just fades away,” Tadena said.

He said Toledo had the rare distinction of being first resident of Sto. Domingo to become a class valedictorian a at the country’s premier military school, at the Philippine Military Academy.
Provincial Board Members Orlino Tesoro presented a resolution extending the board’s condolences to the bereaved family. Provincial Board Member Ismael Baterina and Gerry Lahoz, and former Rep. Salacnib Baterina were also present at the burial ceremony. -- Freddie Lazaro