Soldiers, kin get money, scholarships from AFP

CEBU - Eight soldiers who were wounded in action and seven beneficiaries of soldiers killed in action received financial assistance and scholarship certificates during an awarding ceremony conducted yesterday morning at the Central Command Hall.

The awards came from President Gloria Arroyo’s social funds in recognition of the heroic deeds of the Armed Forces of the Philippines battle casualties during combat operations.

AFP retired Maj. Gen. Arturo Carillo, presidential adviser on military affairs, gave the said financial assistance and scholarship certificates, assisted by Central Command commander Lt. Gen. Pedro Ike Inserto.

The beneficiaries who received P100,000 were Vicente Begayo, father of Pvt. Breatheart Begayo who was killed during an encounter with rebels last August 2007 at Villaba, Leyte; Freddie Nobleza, father of 2Lt. Frederick Nobleza who was killed on April 2007 at San Mariano, Isabela; Mary Josephine Segodine, wife of Pfc Rodolfo Segodine who was killed last July 2005 at Talacudong, Tacurong City.

The others were Gelen Defacto, wife of Staff Sgt. Sulpicio Defacto, who was killed on February 2007 in Batuan, Bohol; Jose Padilla, father of Pfc. Johnny Padilla, killed last September 2006 at Paranas, Western Samar; Marites Macasandag, wife of Pfc. Elmer Macasandag, killed on March 2005 at Parang, Sulu.

P250,000 was handed over to Gertrude Pegarit, wife of Pfc. Anthony Pegarit who was killed last November 2007 at Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

Meanwhile, P100,000 and P50,000 were also awarded to 17 AFP personnel who were wounded in action during combat operations.

They were Cpl. Fidel dela Cruz, Cpl. Fresco Tindoy, 2Lt. Jonathan Zulueta, Pfc. Rodlfo Acain, Pfc. Alexander Rendon, Pfc. Roy Rubio, and Pfc. Roger Lagare.

P20,000 was also awarded to all those who sustained minor injuries namely Staff Sgt. Noel Peñacuba, Sgt. Roger Ramirez, Pfc. Paulo Bueno, Cpl. Bernardo Esteban, Pfc. Ryan Dela Peña, Pvt. Leo Killa, Cpl. Dominic Goc-ong, Technical Sgt. Antonio Estrella, and Pfc. Efren Lamanero.

“Alam namin sa una pa lang na delikado ang maging isang sundalo. But despite that, marami pa ring gustong maging sundalo at anytime ay handang magbuwis ng kanilang buhay,” Carillo said during his speech.

Carillo was in the service for 38 years. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)