P-Noy visits slain soldiers in Isabela; orders review of AFP frontline rules to avoid casualties
ILAGAN, Isabela – President Benigno S. Aquino III today directed the Department of National Defense (DND) to conduct an intensive review of the military’s systems and procedures with a view to preventing unnecessary loss of lives during combat.
The President issued the order to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who was with the Chief Executive during a morning visit to the wakes of three soldiers who were among seven government troopers killed in an ambush last Friday in Sitio Sugit, Brgy. Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The seven casualties, among them an Army lieutenant, were elements of the Army’s 52nd Infantry Division reconnaissance team based at Saddle in Barangay Talubin, Bontoc. They were on their way to a weekend medical mission in a nearby town when waylaid by the rebels.
The President visited the wakes of Pfc. Anthony Bunagan, 26, of Brgy. Cataggamman; Sgt. Melchor Castro, 33, of Brgy. Aggassian; and Pfc. Camilo Topino, 30, of Brgy. Manaring, all in Ilagan, Isabela.
The other fatalities were identified as 1Lt. Lito H. Punio, 28, from Mindanao; Cpl. Cornelio Balmez, 34 of Pangasinan; and Pfc. Windez Gazingan, 30 and Pfc. James Tio-an, 25, both of Kalinga, Apayao.
The ambush was the latest attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Bontoc, which is within the area of responsibility of the military's North Luzon Command.
“Naibigay ko na sa kanya (Gazmin) yung mga instructions sa umpisa pa lang. May mga board of inquiries that were constituted to review all processes to prevent these incidents,” the President told reporters after visiting Castro’s wake.
“Kailangan nating i-review yung mga systems and procedures in place that pose unnecessary risk on the lives (of our soldiers),” the President added.
“Since we have a problem of insurgency in the country, what we can do is to improve our systems that will ensure that the families of those who are slain during their duty are given the necessary benefits accorded to them,” he said.
The families of the slain troopers received package benefits from the government, including P250,000 in cash, and P180,000 in housing assistance.
The President said other benefits are forthcoming, such as scholarships for at least one child, advance payment of additional salary given in lump sum and a “longevity and other components” benefit.
“Ang pagkaka-intindi ko nai-deliver na lahat ito for each of the seven soldiers who were killed in action,” the President said.
In his first command conference with the military last July 12, the President assured prompt payments of benefits to soldiers killed in duty, including those not delivered by Malacañang since 2000.
President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line upon his arrival at the Tuguegarao City Airport Thursday (July 15) to visit the slain soldiers killed in Action (KIA) in Bontoc, Mt. Province last July 9, 2010. (Rey S. Baniquet/OPS-NIB Photo)
President Benigno S. Aquino III prays before the bier of the late PFC Anthony Bunagan, one of the slain soldiers killed in Action (KIA) in Bontoc Mt. Province last July 9, 2010, during his visit to Tuguegarao City. (Rey S. Baniquet/OPS-NIB Photo)
President Benigno S. Aquino III talks to Agnes Topinio, widow of the late PFC Camilo Topinio, one of the seven soldiers killed in Action (KIA) in Bontoc Mt. Province last July 9, 2010, during his visit to the wake Thursday (July 15) in Ilagan, Isabela. (Rey S. Baniquet/OPS-NIB Photo)
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