GMA makes surprise visit to wake of fallen marine soldiers

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made a surprise visit to the Bonifacio Naval Station Gymnasium of the Philippine Marines in Taguig City Monday morning in sympathy over the death of the 14 Marine soldiers in an ambush staged by suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan last July 10.

Only five of the 14 caskets containing the remains of the fallen soldiers were left when the President arrived at the Marines’ gymnasium as the rest had been brought to their hometowns by relatives.

Relatives of T/Sgt. Noel Bautista, S/Sgt. Bernard Abes, Sgt. Cayetano Simbajon, Cpl. Russel Panaga and Pfc. Wilfredo Lamban said they were awaiting word when the caskets would be taken to their respective provinces.

She also approached members of the victims’ families and friends to offer her condolences, telling them she shared their grief.  The President was accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon.

Philippine Marines spokesman Ariel Caculitan said the relatives of the slain soldiers will receive P100,000 financial assistance from the President; P15,000 burial assistance from the Philippine Navy and P50,000 from the Philippine Marines Mutual Special Financial Assistance.

In addition, the relatives will receive the equivalent of the slain soldiers’ six months basic pay, scholarships from the Marines Educational Benefits System Office, lifetime pensions for the wife or parents (for the single soldier), and P5,000 financial assistance from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.