Cash aid given to kin of slain troops

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Relatives of at least 12 soldiers who were killed in action, as well as those troops wounded during combat operations received a total of special financial assistance from the Office of the President.

According to Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, the cash assistance and other benefits formed part of the support President Arroyo has extended to the beneficiaries of the soldiers killed in battle as well as those who sustained injuries during encounter with the enemies.

“This is government’s way of honoring those heroes who have given up their lives and for those who suffered injuries in discharging their duties and functions as soldiers of the people,” Ferrer said.

Presidential Assistant on Military Affairs retired Maj. Gen. Arturo Carillo, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado and Ferrer were the ones who handed over the assistance to the beneficiaries during simple rites here over the weekend at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao headquarters inside Camp Panacan, this city.

Aside from the cash benefits, the beneficiaries also received one educational scholarship each, also from the President’s social fund.

The spouses of 11 of those who have been killed in action received P100,000 each while  the mother of another soldier who was also slain in battle got P250,000 on top of a P180,000 housing benefit.

10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu said that the relatives of the 11 soldiers who were killed before Oct. 8, 2007 were entitled to P100,000 cash benefit.

Sylvia Muyco received the P250,000 cash assistance since her son, Pfc. Gonzalo Muyco, died in an encounter with communist rebels on Feb. 19, 2008 in Occidental Mindoro.

Moreover, at least five soldiers who sustained major injuries also received financial assistance of P100,000 each while nine others got P50,000 each and another two were also handed P20,000 each from the President’s social fund.

The slain and wounded soldiers saw action in encounters with either the New People’s Army, Abu Sayyaf bandits as well as Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatist rebels in various parts of Mindanao, including Sulu, Compostela Valley, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

Muyco was the only one who was noted to have been slain in clashes with communist rebels in Occidental Mindoro.