Aquino pays respect to slain soldier
PIO DURAN, Albay— President Benigno Aquino on Friday visited the wake of Pfc. Arwin Martirez, 24, an Army Scout Ranger who died in action in Basilan, in his residence in this coastal town in Albay.
The President gave P250,000 in financial assistance to Martirez’s mother, Luzviminda, who has eight children aside from Arwin.
Mr. Aquino said three of the soldier’s siblings would get full educational scholarships until college.
They are Daisy, 14 a third year high school student; Amy, 12 and a Grade 5 pupil, and John Ray, 9 and a Grade 3 pupil.
Martirez was killed with six other Rangers on July 26 in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan.
Luzviminda said Arwin became the sole breadwinner of the family after her husband, Willy, was murdered in August 2010. Mar S. Arguelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon
