HONORED. Army soldiers carry on their shoulders the transport boxes bearing the coffins of two fallen colleagues from the Camp Siongco Chapel during send-off ceremonies to their respective families on Saturday (May 9, 2020). The fallen soldiers, Corporals Jermie Ombiang and Vicente Gata, both of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, were manning a quarantine checkpoint in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao, when attacked by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels last May 7, 2020. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Soldiers here paid tribute to two fallen colleagues who were attacked by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels while manning a checkpoint in Datu Hoffer town of this province.
The soldier-fatalities, Corporals Jermie Ombiang and Vicente Gata, both of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, were fired upon by the BIFF while manning a quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Talibadok of the municipality on Thursday evening.
“They were treacherously attacked by the BIFF terrorist group while serving as front-liners against the coronavirus disease 2019,” Col. Steve Crespillo, 6th Infantry Division (6ID) assistant division commander for reservist and retirees affairs, said in a statement Saturday.
Crespillo represented Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the 6ID commander, during the send-off ceremony for the two soldiers whose remains were transported to their respective hometowns accorded with appropriate security escorts.
The fallen soldiers were also posthumously awarded with military merit medals and cash assistance was provided to their bereaved families. (PNA)
