Cordilleran Army officer laid to rest at Libingan ng mgaBayani

By Redjie Melvic Cawis

BAGUIO CITY-- An elite army officer from Benguet who was killed in a military operation in Basilan was laid to rest last week at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Army Capt. Clinton Capio, a native of Amlimay, Buguias, Benguet and a resident of Gibraltar, Baguio City was given full military honors in respect to the bravery of the fallen hero.

He was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2006.

Capio was killed during a nine-hour fire fight between the military and the Abu Sayyaf group in Barangay Cabcaban, Sumisip in Basilan town on Jan. 12. 

He was commanding officer of the 1st Special Forces Company assigned to augment the 4th Special Forces Battalion to help run after remnants of the Abu Sayyaf in the area.

According to reports, Capio’s team clashed with 60 to 80 Abu Sayyaf members led by FurujiIndama alias Abu Dajana.

The military operation against the Abu Sayyaf is in line with the directive of President Duterte to eliminate the bandit group known for kidnappings and beheadings

The President personally condoled with the family of   Capio at the Libingan ng mga Bayani mortuary in Fort Bonifacio  before the body was flown to Baguio City. He also extended financial assistance to the family.

During the wake at the Wesleyan Church along Rimando Road here, relatives and friends of Clinton expressed sadness and condoled with the family.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan also paid tribute to the slain soldier.

He expressed grief but hailed Capio as among the heroes of the Cordillera.

Delia Capio, Clinton’s mother, was devastated but proud that his son was among the heroes of the country fighting to win the war on peace.

The military accorded funeral honors to Capio before being flown from the Loakan Airport to be buried at the Libingan ng Bayani on Friday.

In related development, President Duterte said he will meet with the widows and family members of the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed in the January 2015 Mamasapano massacre.

He said he wanted to talk to them and see how the families are two years after the unfortunate incident that rocked the nation.

Of the 44 slain SAF troopers, 14 were from the Cordillera region.