EDITORIAL - Hats off to our Marines

The handful of Marines responsible for routing a far superior force of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu led by their chieftain, Khaddafi Janjalani, deserves recognition not just by a relieved government but by a grateful nation.

So, more than the usual medals and promotions that are due them, let us more importantly spare them from being embroiled in the tug-of-war over who gets to get the $5 million reward dangled by the Americans for Janjalani's death or capture.

The Marines, grossly outnumbered (there were just 24 of them as against about 200 Abu Sayyaf terrorists) during the encounter, could not have been thinking of the reward in the heat of battle.

Indeed, in media interviews after the death of Janjalani was confirmed in DNA tests, the leader of the Marines, 2nd Lt. Romulo Dimayuga, said all they ever thought of was to get out of there alive or die trying.

They were in fact prepared for death, Dimayuga said, because the Marines never leave anyone behind. With six of their comrades already felled by enemy bullets, there was no way for them but to fight to the last man in face of so many of the enemy.

It is unfair for anyone to even surmise that thoughts of reward ever crossed the minds of the beleaguered Marines as they fought for their lives. If the reward is given them, let it be given without fanfare to spare them the discomfort of malicious imputation.

This paper has always been against the giving of monetary rewards, especially to police and military officers, in consideration for the performance of a duty or obligation for which they are already being paid a regular salary for.

But since that has already become some sort of a practice in this country, let it then be given to those who deserve it with as little fanfare as possible to avoid tarnishing the dignity and reputation of the honest recipients.