By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido on Sunday honored the troops killed and wounded during a clash with lawless elements in Basilan last April 11.
Galido and Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete visited the wake of Sgt. Reymark Bation and Cpl. Jordan Daquipel, both members of the 18th Infantry Battalion, at the St. Peter Funeral Homes in Zamboanga City, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a news release Monday.
These soldiers fell while battling members of lawless elements in Barangay Dugaa in Basilan’s Tuburan town.
“It is with deep sorrow and utmost respect that we honor the ultimate sacrifice of our brave soldiers who died protecting the people of Basilan. We strongly condemn this heinous act and remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice for our fallen heroes,” the PA chief said.
In a separate visit, Galido personally awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal to Cpl. Richivie Flores at the West Metro Medical Center (WMMC) in Zamboanga City in recognition of his bravery and service.
Flores is currently recovering after undergoing emergency surgery.
Dema-ala said the PA remains committed to upholding the morale and welfare of its personnel — ensuring mission success and providing the highest level of support to soldiers and their families, both in times of peace and adversity, as they carry out their duty to serve the people and secure the land.
Dema-ala added that a “special financial assistance” was already provided to the families of the two fallen soldiers even as full support to the recuperating trooper.
“The Army, in close cooperation with the Philippine National Police, are conducting intensified checkpoint operations in the area. Moreover, our troops conducted pursuit operations to go after these lawless elements,” Dema-ala said. (PNA)
