A library photo shows troops load the body of a slain soldier in a helicopter in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 28, 2013) – Philippine military officials have defended themselves from criticisms in sending young soldiers to a dangerous test mission to rescue the wife of a marine sergeant kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf rebels in Sulu province.
The test mission resulted in the killings of 7 marines in an Abu Sayyaf ambush in Patikul town last week. Security officials said the soldiers were sent to rescue Casilda Marcos as part of their test mission.
Marcos, who works as a medical technologist at the provincial hospital, was seized May 18 while on her way to work in Jolo town with her daughter who managed to escape from the kidnappers.
The military has ordered an investigation into the deaths of the soldiers – 2nd Lieutenant Alfredo Lorin VI, Private First Class Jay Alasian, Private First Class Jayson Durante, Private First Class Andres Bogwana, Private First Class Rene Gare, Private First Class Roxan Pizarro, and Private First Class Dominador Sabejon, Jr. – to determine if there were lapses in the operation that also left many marines wounded.
Finish off the Abus
But for Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin, the military investigation into the possible lapses in security operation is not necessary and security officials should instead focus on running after the Abu Sayyaf.
“It is unfair to investigate whether there were lapses or none, the brave soldiers who died in the battle had sacrificed their lives for the interest of the many, and the best thing now to do is for the military to launch an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf,” Amin told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said even citizens, who are fed up with the atrocities of the Abu Sayyaf, have joined the hunt for the Abu Sayyaf. “I am supporting our police and military in putting a stop to Abu Sayyaf atrocities. I have put up rewards for the capture of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Jolo,” he said.
Tribute
President Benigno Aquino also paid his tribute to the slain soldiers and spoke to their grieving families, assuring them that the government will run after the Abu Sayyaf responsible for the killings.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the military is making certain that full benefits are received by those entitled, including pensions, college scholarships, and cash assistance from military financial institutions.
She said Aquino also released P250,000 for each to the bereaved families, and P50,000 each to the wounded. The fund came from the Presidential Social Fund.
“The Aquino administration joins the country in mourning the passing of the seven men who gave their lives to build a safer and more peaceful Philippines.”
“As we mourn, we vow to pursue justice on all fronts, as this is integral to achieving our ultimate goal of winning the peace. The challenge of building a Philippines that is truly prosperous and secure remains, and we will do everything in our power to meet it, recognizing that it is the greatest tribute we can offer to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” she said.
Coordination
The military rescue operation was allegedly launched even without the knowledge of the municipal crisis management committee which is handling the kidnapping case. It was unknown whether the municipal or the provincial police had been informed of the operation.
Abu Sayyaf rebels have previously bombed the capital town of Jolo and kidnapped dozens of wealthy Muslims and murdered Christians in the province over the years.
The Abu Sayyaf is a small, but the notorious rebel group whose original members were mostly fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace accord with Manila in September 1996.
The group is now joined by Indonesian and Malaysian members of the Jemaah Islamiya which has been blamed for the spate of terror attacks in their own countries and the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
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