LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur (MindaNews / 21 February)—Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo S. Brawner Jr., in his visit at the headquarters of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division here on Tuesday to pay his respects to the six fallen soldiers who clashed with Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group extremists, promised to extend help to relatives to pursue schooling or enter the military service.
Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. pays his respects to the six fallen soldiers at the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Headquarters. MindaNews photo by MARIVIC OMANDAM DAVIS
He said the AFP will extend not just financial support, but will also help the slain soldiers’ children finish schooling or their siblings to enter military service.
“We will extend all the help that we can extend to them,” Brawner said during his visit at the gymnasium of Camp Sang-an.
He lauded the soldiers for their sacrifice in the clash in Munai, Lanao del Norte that neutralized some of the suspects of the bombing of a Catholic Mass at the Mindanao State University campus in Marawi City December last year.
The mother of one of the fallen soldiers, Cpl. Reland Tapinit from Barangay Magpatao in Lala, Lanao del Norte, said her son became a soldier to be able to help his sickly father and to send his younger siblings to school.
Luz Fely A. Tapinit, 45, said that Reland, along with a twin brother who is also a soldier, is the first-born of the seven siblings. “Now a younger brother wants to be a soldier, too,” she added.
The family tradition of becoming soldiers goes far back, because her grandfather and a brother were in the military, too.
Soldiers stand guard beside the coffins of their fallen comrades. MindaNews photo by MARIVIC OMANDAM DAVIS
Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo likewise extended her condolences to the bereaved families.
“With heavy hearts, we honor the courageous soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the recent encounter against a violent extremist group in Munai. Their bravery and dedication to protecting our province will forever be remembered. Rest in peace, dear heroes, your service will never be forgotten,” said her message posted in the province’s Facebook page.
(Marivic Omandam Davis / MindaNews)