Slain Cagayan soldier chose Mindanao over UN peacekeeping post

TUGUEGARAO CITY—The remains of 2Lt. Ernan Gusto, one of the 15 soldiers slain by the bandit group Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on Aug. 29, were returned to Alcala town in Cagayan province on Saturday.

The Army official chose Mindanao over an offer to join the United Nations peacekeeping force, said the soldier’s mother-in-law Teresita Bartolome who resides in Alcala’s Calantac village.

Gusto’s decision to drop the UN job for Mindanao where he was killed in battle “has been hurting us a lot,” she said.

Charito said she last heard from her husband through a text message last week, informing her that he would return to Cagayan in October to celebrate their son’s birthday.

Gusto visited Alcala in June when he was assigned briefly at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Gusto’s casket was first brought to San Isidro town in Isabela on Friday to be with his parents before it was transported to Alcala where he would be buried.

At Masin village there, the Philippine flag of the Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion was raised at half-staff.

Lt. Col. Rimbert Baylosis, 17th IB commanding officer, said they mourned for Gusto and were ready to join soldiers in Mindanao and help restore peace there.