NEWSFLASH

HELP FOR WIVES, FAMILIES OF SLAIN SOLDIERS IN BASILAN AMBUSH

Bacolod City, May 24, 2000 - President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada assured government assistance Wednesday to the wives and families of soldiers who were slain in an ambush in Lantawan, Basilan last
May 7.

In a meeting this morning with the widows at the L’Fisher Hotel here before proceeding to Guimaras province, the President handed personally the amount of P50,000 each to the 11 widows.

Their husbands, who belonged to the 32nd Special Forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), were killed during a military operation against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf to rescue the children and adults they snatched last March.

The special forces were based in Bacolod City before their deployment to Basilan.

The President also said that those slain soldiers who had no houses of their own will be provided with housing units under the government’s mass housing project. Their children will also be given scholarships, Mr. Estrada added.

In paying tribute to the slain soldiers, the President said "They have sacrificed their lives for our country, so we can continue to enjoy peace and democracy."

The Commander-in-chief said it is the duty of the AFP to see to it that there is peace and order in the country. "Our soldiers are now more than ever determined to fight for peace and liberty," he said.

"We only have one country, one government and one sovereignty. We will not yield to any rebel or terrorist as far as peace is concerned in our country," the President stressed.

After their meeting with the President, the widows expressed their gratitude for the care and concern that the President had shown in addressing their plight.

In appropriate ceremonies in the near future, the President said these fallen soldiers would be promoted one rank higher.

One widow, Gina Bagaporo, wife of 28-year-old Corporal Jaime Bagaporo, was eight months pregnant. Just like the others, they were very emotional when they talked about the death of their husbands in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.