Soldiers slain in Abu Sayyaf, NPA clashes brought home
>> Monday, May 4, 2020
BAGUIO CITY – The bodies of six soldiers, six of them Cordillerans,
killed by the Abu Sayyaf and communist rebels south of the country were brought
home for burial.
The
Philippine Army Western Mindanao Command reported 12 soldiers from the 21st
Infantry Battalion were killed while 13 others were wounded as they clashed
with the Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists in Sitio Bud Lubong, Barangay Danag in
Patikul, Sulu on April 17.
Among those
killed in action were five Cordillerans troopers namely Corporal John Michael
Manodom of Asin Road, Baguio City; Corporal Jomar Niñalga of Monamon Norte,
Bauko, Mountain Province; Corporal Razul Ao-as of Pasil, Kalinga, and Private
First Class Benson Bongguic of Conner, Apayao. Staff Sergeant Alexander Bolesa
of Manabo, Abra who was wounded during the firefight died on April 20 in a
health facility in Mindanao.
The soldiers
were running after ASG leader Radullan Sahiron and Hatib Hajan Sawajaan when
they were overpowered by at least 40 heavily armed ASG terrorists in the jungle
island of Sulu.
The Armed
Forces of the Philippines led by Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr,
Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, and the Major Service
Commanders rendered military honors to the soldiers at the Villamor
Airbase in Pasay on April 18 before being airlifted to their respective
hometowns.
On April 19,
2020, 2nd Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico of Monamon Sur in Bauko, Mountain
Province and two other soldiers were killed while four others were wounded by
alleged members of the New People’s Army while conducting security patrol in
support to the activities of the DSWD in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City in
Negros Occidental.
Abibico, 23,
was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2018.
According to
reports, troops from the 94th Infantry Battalion were conducting community
security patrol in connection with the Social Amelioration Program of the DSWD
for affected families due to COVID-19 pandemic disease when they received
reports of armed group conducting extortion activities
in the communities.
The soldiers
were close in getting the NPA group when an improvised explosive device
exploded and hand grenades were thrown inflicting immediate casualties among government
troops.
Local
officials and citizens condoles with bereaved families.
Mountain Province Gov.
Bonifacio Lacwasan, in a statement said, “In view of these aimless
killings, I enjoin everyone to pray for Divine Intervention that will not only
heal and protect our people from the COVID-19 but will also provide strength to
the weak and the suffering, especially to all families left behind and to those
who were wounded in the latest armed battles.
Let us also
pray for enlightenment among heartless individuals who continue to wreak havoc
for personal gains.” -- JDP/RMC- PIA CAR
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