Kin of slain, wounded soldiers receive aid

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Families of Army troopers killed or wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army guerrillas in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental received financial assistance from the provincial government yesterday.

The families of the slain Army soldiers – 2/Lt. Ralf Amante Abibico, Cpl. Joel Nobleza and Pfc. Carl Venice Bustamante – received P110,000 each from local officials led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Meanwhile, the wounded troopers – Cpls. John Cris Laus and Lismer Jade Tumayao, and Pfcs. John Paul Geonzon and Alexis Mepranum – received P55,000 each.

The provincial government condemned the attack on the soldiers, saying it occurred as the country was trying to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.