Philippines: 14 slain soldiers get hero’s welcome from Arroyo

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the nation today in giving a hero’s welcome for the 14 enlisted personnel of the Philippine Marines 1st Marine Brigade who were killed in an ambush by hundreds of rebel renegades from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and lawless elements in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan last Tuesday (July 10).

Ten of the slain soldiers were beheaded, with some parts of their bodies mutilated.

Joining the President during the solemn welcome rites held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City were Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Security Adviser and acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Philippine Air Force PAF) Chief Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino and Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga.

The marine soldiers killed in action were: Staff Sergeants Noel F. Bautista and Bernard C. Abes; Sergeants Rey B. Callueng, Gerardo B. Licup, and Cayetano N. Simbajon; Private First Class officers Russel S. Panaga, Freddie G. Palma, Elizar S. Semeniano, Reuben S. Doronio Jr., Jhonard Alianza, Arjorin S. Eleazar, Emmanuel G. Beup, Emilio C. Lachica and Wilfredo G. Lamban.

Standing at the foot of the plane’s rear ramp, the President executed a hand salute each time the Philippine flag-draped caskets of the slain soldiers were unloaded from the plane by the pallbearer soldiers and placed them at the Tarmac fronting the VAB Base Operations building.

The President also witnessed the consecutive blessings of the soldiers’ remains conducted by Philippine Navy Chief Chaplain Col. Rosalindo Acasio and Philippine Marines Corps Chaplain Carlito Buslon.

During the program, the President conferred an on-the-spot promotion (posthumously to their next higher rank) on the 14 marine soldiers.

Meanwhile, Philippine Marines spokesman Ariel Caculitan said the relatives of the slain soldiers will receive the following: P100,000 financial assistance from the President; P15,000 burial assistance from the Philippine Navy; P50,000 in checks from Philippine Marines Mutual Special Financial Assistance; six months’ basic pay in cash benefits, scholarships from the Marines Educational Benefits System Office, lifetime pensions for the wife and parents (for the single soldier), and P5,000 financial assistance from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

On the legal aspect, Caculitan said that aside from multiple murder case to be filed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the suspected ambushers at the lower court, it would also file a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights.

AFP spokesman Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the AFP is now preparing a protest complaint before the Committee on Ceasefire and the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) against the MILF 114th Western Mindanao Front headed by commander Suhud Limaya alias Hud for violating the ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and MILF peace panel.

The marine soldiers who were tasked to rescue abducted Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi were returning to their camp when the group of heavily armed men attacked them in the mountainous Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan last Tuesday.