IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – To honor the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers of the latest C-130 crash in Patikul, Sulu, representatives of President Rodrigo Duterte delivered initial cash assistance and award in Bukidnon province yesterday, July 10, 2021.
Family of Private (Pvt) Mel Mark Angana represented by Amalia Angana, mother, resident of Brgy. Maligaya, Malaybalay City, emotionally received the assistance from BGen Ferdinand Barandon, Commander, 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade, representatives of Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and Major Lemuel Bacarro, Executive Officer, 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army.
Further, Asuncion Indapan, stepmother of Pvt Marcelino Alquisar who raised the latter as her own, resident of Brgy. Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon personally received the initial financial assistance. The family of Pvt Alquisar also witnessed BGen Barandon as he awards the Order of Lapu-lapu with a rank of Kalasag on behalf of the President.
The medal is awarded to officials, personnel of the government, and private individuals who are seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property and those who lost their lives in the pursuit of the President’s campaign or advocacy. The initial financial assistance was given by President Duterte and Senator Bong Go.
Indapan emotionally expressed, “Daghang Salamat kang Presidente Duterte, daghang salamat sa mga kasundalohan. Bisan paman tuod dili nako tinuod nga anak si Marcelino akoang paningkamotan nga mahiluna siya. Akoang masaad usab sa iyang mga igsuon ug anak nga kung unsa man ang madawat namo, matunga sa tanan.” (I am very thankful to President Duterte and to the soldiers. Although, Marcelino is not my birth child, I will do my best for him to have a peaceful burial. I will also promise to his siblings and children that whatever we will receive, I will equally divide it to everyone.)
LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB said that, “the 8IB will continue to coordinate with the bereaved families for whatever assistance they will need. More assistance will surely be given to them for their sons who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.” “We will always pray for the families and relatives that they will have the strength to surpass these trying times,” Talaroc added.
BGen Barandon, also said, “On behalf of the soldiers and the bereaved families, I am expressing my deepest gratitude to President Duterte and to Senator Bong Go for their assistance. The medal of Lapu-lapu is a fitting award for the soldiers as they sacrificed their lives for their country and for its people so that long-lasting peace will reign and insurgency in the country will end.”
It can be recalled that the said soldiers were included in the C-130 mishap at Patikul, Sulu last July 4, 2021.
