ANOTHER five soldiers who perished in the C-130 crash in Patikul, Sulu arrived at the former Cagayan de Oro airport in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, July 12.
The soldiers were identified as:
* Private First Class (PFC) Carlos Dapanas Jr., from Manticao town, Misamis Oriental;
* Technical Sergeant (TSg) Nelson Hadjiri from Kadingilan town, Bukidnon;
* PFC Philip Dante Camilosa from Bit-os, Butuan City;
* Private Carlos Jhun Paragua Jr. from Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City;
* Corporal Jay-ar Obenita from Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
They were transported by a C295 military aircraft from Zamboanga City and arrived in Cagayan de Oro around 11 a.m.
According to Major General Romeo Saturnino Brawner Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID), the five fallen soldiers were among the second batch of identified Army personnel who were given release papers by the Western Mindanao Command and to be transported to their respective residences.
The other soldiers on the same batch were PFC Keth Kane Alegarme from Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental; PFC Marchi Bonzales from Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur; and Private Archie Barba from Datu Abdul, Panabo City.
On July 7, the 4ID extended military honors and transportation assistance to the first six identified army personnel.
“We have now a total of 17 identified army personnel with still 20 remains left unidentified,” Brawner said.
Brawner led the presentation of the Order of Lapu-Lapu Award to the fallen soldiers on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu Award is a national order of merit conferred by the president to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the president.
“Ating bigyang pugay ang kabayanihan ng mga nasawing sundalo na handing magbuwis ng buhay para sa ating bayan. Hindi nila alintana ang peligro na naka-amba sa kanilang buhay bagkus ay buong puso nilang tinanggap at pinangatawanan upang magampanan ang sinumpaang tungkulin para sa bayan,” Brawner said.
Brawner also personally handed over the command’s financial assistance to the families and led a holy mass to pray and honor the said fallen heroes.
“Inaalay po namin ang mataas na pagpupugay at taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng nasawi kasama ang patuloy pa ring nagpapagaling sa iba’t ibang hospital. Ang amin ding pagpupugay sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at ibat ibang ahensya ng gobyerno na nakiisa at tumutulong sa mga pamilya ng ating mga bayaning sundalo,” Brawner said.
“Kayo po ang inspirasyon at nagbibigay lakas loob sa amin at sa bawat sundalo na ipagpatuloy ang aming mandato na paigtingin ang pagserbisyu sa mamamayan at wakasan ang insurhensiya,” he added.
A send-of ceremony with full military honors was conducted on Tuesday, July 13, as the remains of the soldiers were returned to their home provinces.
