Relatives mourn 6 soldiers killed in Basilan ambush. In Zamboanga City on Monday, November 3, relatives of one of the six fatalities in the November 2 ambush staged by Abu Sayyaf bandits weep at the sight of their slain loved one. The soldiers were ambushed while conducting a security patrol in Sitio Mompol, Barangay Libug in Sumisip, Basilan around 7:30 a.m. The attackers were led by a certain Radzmi Jannatul and a certain Katatung. Jun Veneracion
The remains of one of the soldiers killed in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan on November 2 arrived at Villamor Air Base Tuesday evening.
Relatives of 2Lt. Jun Corpuz, 22, were emotional as they saw the flag-draped coffin bearing their loved one, radio dzBB’s Nimfa Ravelo reported.
Earlier Tuesday, the military held departure honors for the six in Zamboanga City before their remains were flown to their respective home provinces.
Corpuz and his five fellow soldiers fought valiantly and would be missed, one of their fellow soldiers told GMA News’ Jun Veneracion on “24 Oras.”
Private First Class Marvin Paragoso said he could have been among the fatalities. He suffered a wound in his foot in the incident.
“Masakit kasi sa loob ko nangyari… Kaibigan ko sila. Masakit sa dibdib ko. Kasama ko sila sa katatawanan, sa biruan, sa inuman, sa hirap at ginhawa,” he said.
Paragoso recalled he and his colleagues were conducting road security when the Abu Sayyaf fired on them, using high-powered weapons including an M-203 grenade and an improvised explosive device.
“May namatay kasi ang kalaban marami kesa sa amin. Wala kaming kalaban-laban. At may nilagay pa sila roon na IED sumabog. Kaya ang casualty namin na ano, wasak ang katawan niya,” he said.
Paragas said it was the first time Corpuz joined them on road security. He recalled Corpuz fighting until the end.
He said that although Corpuz was seriously wounded, “lumaban pa rin siya. Nagpaputok din siya, hanggang sa natamaan din siya.”
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines started Tuesday its investigation into the ambush.
