September 26, 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Thursday morning the wake of the soldiers killed during an encounter with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction of Nur Misuari in Zamboanga.

President Aquino paid his last respects to the fallen soldiers and extended his condolences to their families and relatives. He first visited the wake of 1st Lt. John Kristopher Rama in Norzagaray, Bulacan who was killed by an MNLF sniper. He also went to the wake of 1st Lt. Florencio Mikael Esguerra Meneses, in Pulilan, Bulacan who died at the Ciudad Zamboanga Hospital after being wounded during clearing operations in Sta. Catalina village.

The President also went to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City where the remains of 1st Lt. Francis Damian lie in state. Damian who died at the Ciudad Zamboanga Hospital was wounded in an encounter with the MNLF forces in Sta. Barbara.

According to AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, 15 were killed and 152 were injured on the side of the AFP while five PNP personnel and 13 civilians were also killed during the 17-day conflict.

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