Cebuano Marines slain in Basilan honored

CEBU, Philippines - As commander of the marine reservists, Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said he will honor the two Cebuano marines who were among those killed in the recent encounter between the government troops and the extremists in Mindanao.

Osmeña hold a rank of lieutenant colonel as the battalion commander of the 51st Marine Reserve Battalion that has a headquarters on Arellano Boulevard, Barangay Tinago, with around 200 men under him.

According to the mayor, he will see to it that he will be present during the interment rites of Privates Lemuel dela Cruz of Daanbantayan and Redentor Batoctoy of Dalaguete. Both men were members of the Marine Raider Company and were included among the 23 members of the government troops who were killed when they reinforced the Scout Rangers in Tipo-Tipo Basilan last August 12 against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“It is my job to honor them, I can give them assistance of course but at my own risk,” Osmeña said, adding he can’t use government’s money as he might be charged for corruption.

The mayor said among his achievements as the head of the marine reservists was the deployment of his men to Barangay of Sinsin to help relocate at least 20 families who were affected by the landslides. The 51st Marine Reserve Battalion also participated in the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela conducted in Mambaling Elementary School.

Osmeña also gave financial assistance to the families of other Marines who were killed in earlier atrocities in Mindanao. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)