ILIGAN CITY – Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. visited on Tuesday, February 20, the wake of six soldiers killed in an encounter with the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Barangay Ramain, Munai, Lanao del Norte on Sunday, February 18.
ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. salutes the casket of a soldier killed in a gun battle with the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Munai, Lanao del Norte during a visit to their wake in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on February 20. (1st Infantry Division)
“Ito po iyong casualties natin, anim na sundalo (These are our casualties, six soldiers, who paid the ultimate sacrifice) who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could make our country safe and secure,” Brawner said during their wake at the gymnasium of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division in Camp Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Brawner handed over cash assistance and condoled with the bereaved families of Corporal Rodel Mobida, Private First Class Arnel Tornito, and Private First Class Michael John Lumingkit, residents of Ramon Magsaysay, Tukuran, and Midsalip Zamboanga del Sur, respectively; and Private James Porras, Corporal Reland Tapinit, and Corporal Rey Anthony Salvador.
Their remains will be transported to their respective towns following the vigil at the 1st ID gym.
Brawner said the military is intensely pursuing the DI-MG and he is confident that they will emerge victorious.
The Armed Forces chief assured residents of Munai of their safety.
Brawner will visit soldier wounded in the encounter recuperating at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday, February 21.