Ruben Monte stands by the coffin of his son, Pfc. John Monte of Salong, Baroi, Lanao del Norte province, one of the 18 soldiers killed in a recent encounter in Basilan province. JULIE S. ALIPALA/INQUIRER MINDANAO
The Philippine Army has released P3.2 million worth of financial assistance for the families of 18 soldiers killed in the recent encounter in Basilan, the biggest combat loss in a single-day operation for the military in five years.
Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao on Tuesday said a total of P3,289,254.50 would be given to the bereaved families.
“The [special financial assistance] of the Philippine Army is computed based on their (18 soldiers) individual monthly earnings. This is an immediate monetary assistance which will be given to a soldier who was killed or died in line of duty,” Hao said.
For instance, the family of the late 1st Lt. Remigio B. Licenia will receive P282,303.95, while the family of the late Pfc. Done Mark Gil A. Saldivar, the most junior personnel among those killed, will receive P145,074.10.
Other assistance to be received by the families of the slain soldiers include P50,000 from the AFP Mutual Benefits Association Inc., P100,000 from the Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative, P80,000 funeral services support, and scholarship grants to their children.
They would also be given full military honors, said Hao.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, in an ambush interview after the turnover of a US C-130 to the Philippine Air Force, denied reports that the funeral honors for the slain soldiers were cancelled.
“We did give them honors in Zamboanga City before they left and then they were given honors when they arrived to their hometowns,” he told reporters.
Local media reports said the funeral honors for the fallen soldiers were called off and the media was also barred from interviewing the families of the victims. RC
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