Army soldiers in Isabela province carry the remains of their fallen comrades who were killed in an ambush with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Patikul, Sulu. The bodies of the slain soldiers were flown to Cauayan airport on Sunday. (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.)
CAUAYAN CITY, Philippines – Five of the 11 Army soldiers who were killed in an attack by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu were flown here and in Baguio City on Sunday.
A C-177 Air Force plane transported the flag-draped caskets bearing the remains of Cpl. Ernesto Bautista Jr., Staff Sergeant Jayson Gazzingan, Pvt. Jomel Pagulayan of Tuguegarao City, Cpl. Rasul Ao-as of Kalinga and Pvt. First Class Benson Bongguic of Mountain Province.
The plane arrived at Cauayan airport where relatives of some of the slain soldiers were waiting.
Army soldiers in Isabela province carry the remains of their fallen comrades who were killed in an ambush with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Patikul, Sulu. The bodies of the slain soldiers were flown to Cauayan airport on Sunday. (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.)
Bautista’s wife, Christine Joy, said she felt “devastated” after learning about the ambush. The couple is supposed to mark their first wedding anniversary on April 27.
“It is too painful but I have to be strong. The killers must pay for this injustice,” she said.
Capt. Antenor Hernandez, 5th Infantry Division chaplain, blessed the remains of the five soldiers.
The remains of Pagulayan, Ao-as, and Bongguic were then flown to Tuguegarao airport where their relatives were waiting.
“They sacrificed their lives for the sake of attaining peace. Our fallen soldiers are heroes,” said Maj. General Pablo Lorenzo, 5th Infantry Division commander.
The remains of Cpls. John Michael Manodom of Baguio City and Jomar Niñalga of Mountain Province were also flown back to Baguio City on Sunday.
Fourteen other government soldiers were wounded in the ensuing firefight with Abu Sayyaf terrorists on Friday.