Slain soldiers in Basilan given full military honors

The remains of five soldiers which were killed in Basilan clashes Thursday arrive at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay via C130 cargo plane early Sunday and were given full military honors later at Libingan ng mga Bayani. Photo by SSG Gildo Cabalo/AFP Public Affairs

MANILA, Philippines – The remains of 10 soldiers killed in Thursday’s clashes in Sumisip town, Basilan were flown to their respective hometowns – five in Manila and were given full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani early Sunday.

The slain soldiers were Corporal Jerry Areglado, Privates First Class Segundiano G. Tamayo Jr, Rey C. Evangelista, Arnold D. Coresis, Cleto A. Algayan, Kennith John D. Maribao,  Jose Marvin V. Talamante, Mark B. Ocampo,  Arwin C. Martinez, and  Erwin E. Alerta.

Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said the remainsof Coresis, Algayan, Talamante,  Ocampo and  Martinez were airlifted to Manila via C130 cargo plane, while the other five were flown to their respective provinces.

Of the five soldiers brought to Manila, only Talamante will be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani while the families of the four other soldiers opted to bury their loved ones in their respective hometowns, Cabunoc said.

Military honors were also given by army units to slain soldiers who were brought to General Santos, Dumaguete and Tacloban.

Army chief Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, who led the military honors, extended his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers.

“As of Sunday, the dependents received Special Family Assistance from the Philippine Army plus P20,000 from the Scout Ranger Regiment,” Cabunoc said.

The Philippine Army earlier released P7.2 million for the slain soldiers, wherein each family will receive an amount between P630,000 and P720,000 depending on their rank and length of service.

Nineteen were killed in long-day clashes between the military and Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan Thursday. Ten of the casualties were from the military and nine were killed from the ASG. Several were wounded on both sides.

Originally posted at 11:47 am| Sunday, July 29, 2012