CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Isabela -- Two 5th Infantry Division (5ID) Army soldiers who were killed in the Sunday’s twin blasts in Jolo have been described as “revered heroes” for losing their lives "in the name of military public service."
Army Maj. Jefferson Somera, 5ID spokesperson, identified the two as Sgt. Mark Des Simbre, who is from San Ramon West in San Isidro, Isabela, and Cpl. John Mangawit, from Mabaca, Tanudan, Kalinga. He said the fatalities' remains will be flown to their hometowns within the next two days.
Maj. Gen. Perfecto Rimando, 5ID commander, said the Army soldiers would be feted and their families would be given immediate benefits and assistance due them. He expressed sympathy to the families of the slain soldiers whom he called “revered heroes".
Five other 5ID soldiers -- Staff Sgt. Victor Ubaldo, Corporal Jonel Ngitit, Corporal Timothy Bigot, Private First-Class Jonathan Magguia and Private Cliver Serquiña -- were wounded in the blast.
The soldiers belong to the 41st Infantry Battalion of the 5ID who were assigned to beef up the military contingent in Jolo, Sulu.
Somera said they already informed the relatives of those killed and wounded soldiers.
"We condole with the relatives of our colleagues in the military who lost their lives and risked their limbs," he told the Philippine News Agency.
Twin explosions ripped through the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo during the celebration of a mass at around 8 a.m. on Sunday (January 27), killing 20 people, including the five soldiers, and wounding of more than 100 others.
Simbre and Mangawit were killed in the second foray of blasts as they responded to the first explosion. (PNA)
