Duterte pays tribute to slain, wounded soldiers in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte went to Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City to honor the soldiers who were killed and wounded in the suicide attack at a military camp in Indanan, Sulu last June 28.

Malacañang released details of the President’s activity hours after he conferred last Wednesday the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan, on the soldiers injured in the attack.

Duterte personally handed the awards to S/Sgt. Ferdinand Clemente, S/Sgt. Marlon Domingo, Sgt. William Andreade, Sgt. Ryan Ferrer, Sgt. Richard Tudla, Sgt. Mark Joseph Mamingcol, Sgt. Jykyl Bautista, Cpl. Serto Bagni, Cpl. Rommel Soliman, Pfc. John Angelo Carpio, Pfc. Ralph Sabroso and Pfc. Dariel Bolivar.

Two suicide attackers set off bombs last Friday that killed five other people in an Army camp in Indanan, Sulu. Ten civilians were also injured during the attack.

The military said one of the suicide bombers was a Filipino, Norman Lasuca, a Sulu resident who recently joined the Abu Sayyaf.

The police, on the other hand, said they will intensify intelligence operations to locate other possible suicide bombers.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said a DNA test should be conducted to verify Lasuca’s identity. Once confirmed, it would be the first case of a local suicide bomber in the country.

Albayalde said a confirmed case of suicide bombing by a Filipino is a game changer in the fight against terrorism.

“If you have a suicide bomber that is really determined, it’s going to be difficult,” Albayalde admitted.

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, for his part, said the sacrifices of the wounded soldiers will not be in vain as he vowed to intensify their efforts and sustain the tactical and intelligence operations in combating terrorism in Sulu.

“The courage and will of our soldiers to fight for lasting peace is truly commendable that the President deemed it fit to recognize their heroic deeds,” he said.

The President also posthumously awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag, on two Army soldiers, Pfc. Dominique Inte and Pfc. Recarte Alban Jr., who perished during the attack. Their next of kin received the award.

Duterte also donned on Sobejana his new insignia rank to lieutenant general.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to persons in government or the private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or advocacy. 

The Kampilan Medal is conferred on persons who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in such action.

The Kalasag Medal, on the other hand, is given to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

On Sunday evening, the President conferred the same award on Cpl. Richard Macababbad who was one of the Indanan bombing casualties. His remains lie at the Libingan ng mga Bayani mortuary in Fort Bonifacio.

Dependents of soldiers killed in action received P250,000 financial assistance from the government while other benefits are extended through the state’s Comprehensive Social Benefit Program. Those who were injured received P100,000.

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The Department of the Interior and Local Government provides employment to widows and other dependents.

The Department of Trade and Industry, in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, provides skills training while the Department of Health gives medical assistance.

Once beneficiaries complete their skills training, they are qualified to receive the second tranche of financial assistance from the government amounting to P250,000 for every beneficiary.

The National Housing Authority also provides shelter assistance while the Commission on Higher Education, National Police Commission and the Armed Forces of the Philippines secure the grant of scholarships to the dependents of soldiers killed in combat. – With Roel Pareño, Emmanuel Tupas