Soldiers wounded in Abu clashes receive gifts

ZAMBOANGA CITY - At least 116 government troopers who were wounded or fell ill in encounters with Abu Sayyaf rebels have received early Christmas gifts from the Armed Forces’ Southern Command (Southcom).

Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, Southcom chief, personally gave each soldier recuperating at the Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) here, a Christmas package.

At the same time, Cimatu said Gen. Diomedio Villanueva, the Armed Forces’ chief, is now working out the soldiers’ promotions.

Col. Joselito Castro, the CNGH chief, said majority of the soldiers were wounded in clashes with the Abu Sayyaf, and the rest with followers of renegade Muslim leader Nur Misuari.

Some of the soldiers contracted malaria while operating in the jungles of Basilan. — Roel Pareño