BACOLOD CITY – The remains of three members of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) were sent to their respective home provinces on Tuesday after being given military honors by the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde).
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd IBde commander, led the send-off ceremony at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City.
The remains of 2nd Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico and Private First Class Carl Venice Bustamante were sent via Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-295 cargo plane to Clark International Airport, and General Santos International Airport, respectively.
Abibico is a native of Bauko, Mt. Province, while Bustamante’s hometown is at Surallah, South Cotabato.
The remains of Corporal Joel Nobleza was sent via a PAF UH-1H helicopter to the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz, and will be brought to his residence in the said province.
“On behalf of the 303rd Infantry Brigade and the whole Philippine Army, we salute you,” Pasaporte said, as he considered them heroes who died protecting the people from the threats of the New People’s Army (NPA) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic at Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on April 19.
“In honor of their sacrifice for the nation, we assure that all the processing of their benefits will be taken cared of and all necessary assistance will be extended to their families,” he said. (Glazyl Masculino)
