DAVAO CITY – Four soldiers who were killed by communist rebels in the southern Philippines were sent home to their grieving families on Saturday after a memorial service in Davao City.
The four – Corporal Ricardo Reyes, Privates First Class Rolando Dela Rosa, John Rar Pagba and Joven Campollo – were killed in a roadside bombing in San Fernando town in Bukidnon province that also sparked a 45-minute firefight that killed two New People’s Army rebels – Girlie Banlag and Alex Doongan.
Lt. Gen. Aurello Baladad, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command; and Maj. Gen. Eduardo Ano, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, let troops in honoring the slain soldiers, according to Maj. Ezra Balagtey, an army spokesman.
Balagtey also quoted Baladad as saying: “They (slain soldiers) have displayed the finest tradition of soldiery, they made the supreme sacrifice defending democracy and fighting for peace and we are ensuring that their death will be the bastion of peace and progress in Eastern Mindanao.’’
The military honor for the soldiers came a day after troops also killed 5 rebels in a clash in Compostela Valley’s Mabini town. Troops also recovered 5 automatic rifles from the slain communist fighters.
The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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