By Liezle Basa Inigo
Flags in all military camps across the country were put on half-mast in honor of the 11 soldiers who were killed in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu province on Friday afternoon.
(Photo from Ella Alibania of 1st Civil Relations Group Civil Relations Service AFP via Liezle Basa Inigo / MANILA BULLETIN)
Three of the soldiers who were killed-in-action soldiers were Cagayan Valley, namely, Staff Sgt. Jayson P Gazzingan, a native of Brangay San Rafael East, Sta Maria, Isabela; Cpl. Ernesto L Bautista Jr. of Barangay Naguilian Sur, Ilagan City, Isabela; and Pfc. Jomel N Pagulayan of Barangay Cataggaman Pardo, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA 2 ) reported on Saturday that three belonged to the 21 Infantry Battalion (21st IB), a former organic unit which has been deployed in Mindanao for about years now and has been made a part of the newly organized 11th Infantry Division in Sulu since August 2019.
Report said 21st IB soldiers were conducting peace and security operations in the hinterlands of Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu when they encountered about 40 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits.
This led to a fierce firefight that lasted an hour, and resulted in the death of 11 soldiers, while 14 others were wounded.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Pablo M. Lorenzo, commander of the Fifth Infantry Division, expressed his deepest sympathies to the 21st IB and the bereaved families of the fallen heroes.
“The 5th ID is saddened with another loss of gallant comrades in serving the people and protecting the land in faraway Sulu, a known hotbed of terrorism. ," Lorenzo said.
"Their bravery and heroism will remain forever in our hearts and will serve as an inspiration for us all to crush the enemies of the state with greater conviction and renewed vigor," Lorenzo added.