Town council commends soldier slain in Basilan

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Dumangas Municipal Council recently approved a resolution commending Cpl. Roberto Ricafranca who was among the 19 killed in the Basilan encounter with MILF elements two weeks ago.

The resolution, which cited the 32-year-old soldier for his bravery and sacrifice of his life for his fellow soldiers and the country, came before he was laid to rest in Dumangas, his wife’s hometown, last Sunday.

Ricafranca was a native of Lamitan, Basilan but his wife, Rhea Jotis, hails from Barangay Bantud of Dumangas.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Rhea expressed gratefulness to the people who sympathized with the family, saying she was very overwhelmed by the number of people who attended the burial.

She earlier said she and the family wanted justice for her husband’s death, and she is hoping the government will award her husband a Medal of Valor for his heroic deed.

Ricafranca was the only sniper among the soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion, which engaged in a firefight with lawless MILF elements in Al -Barka, Basilan.

His wounded comrades, who were able to survive the incident, praised and thanked Ricafranca for his bravery and for saving their lives.

The fallen military officer, who was top one of his shooting class in 2007, reportedly faced the enemies while he instructed his colleagues, including his own cousin, Pfc. Alex Ricafranca, to withdraw. - THE FREEMAN