PMA condoles with kin of fallen soldiers

By Redjie Melvic Cawis

BAGUIO CITY-- The Philippine Military Academy condoled with family and relatives of  2nd Lt. Alfredo Lorin VI and other soldiers who died during the recent clash of government forces and Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu.

"The PMA condoles with the bereaved family of Lt. Lorin. Though untimely, his death is an ultimate sacrifice by a soldier so that he can live up to his mandate of serving and protecting the people,” said a statement by PMA public information officer Capt. Lynnette Agnes Flores,

Lorin, 26, was a member of the 196 graduates of the PMA Laon Alab Class of 2011, first graduates under President Benigno Aquino III.

“The Academy will remember him for his display of courage, a trait ingrained by him by his alma mater," Flores added.

Lorin was leader of the ill-fated team from the Marine Force Reconnaissance Battalion who were sent to Tugas, a hilly jungle in Patikul, for the supposed test mission that led to the incident in which seven soldiers were killed and nine other wounded.

The soldiers were on a mission to track down the kidnappers of Casilda Villarasa, wife of Sgt. Faustino Villarasa when the encounter occurred that also lead to the death of seven Abu Sayyaf members.

Among the casualties were Privates First Class Rene Gare, Andres Bogwana, Jay Alasain, Jayson Durante, Roxas Pizarro and Dominador Sabijon Jr.

Wounded were Sgt. Noel Cornelio and Privates First Class Miguel Edwin Maluyo, Roel Aquino, Carlito Sabellita, CrisAn Bangalisan, Rajan Gadong, John Ywayan, Joemar Monte and Richard Gomez.

Meanwhile, Police Insp. Alfredo Lorin V, brother of the slain lieutenant said their family was accepting the death of his brother and they were proud he served the country and died a hero which was the deepest service that he could give to the nation as a soldier.

Lorin was remembered by his family in Iriga City, Camarines Sur as their son who had dreams of becoming a soldier when he was young and being a hero to his family and now to his country.

Last week, President Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay paid their respects to the seven Marines at the Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

Aquino authorized the release of P250,000 each to families of the fallen soldiers and  ordered  release of P50,000 each to wounded Marines from the Presidential Social Fund.

Vice President Binay, a marine reservist, earlier said that the families of slain soldiers will be given housing assistance and additional assistance from the Alay SaKawal Foundation, which he chairs.