Zamboangueño Marine soldier laid to rest

One of the seven (7) Marine soldiers killed in the gun battle with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on the first week of this month, was laid to rest at the San Roque Memorial cemetery yesterday.
The late Zamboangueño Marine soldier SSGT. Wilhem Alvarez – a resident of Barangay Zone-1, this city, was killed in action during an encounter with about 100 Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sitio Tanduh Pugot in the remote village of Sionogan, Indanan town.

Reports said that government forces including PMC troops and the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police were on clearing operations at the said village when gunmen ambushed and sprayed the convoy with high-powered automatic rifles and grenade launchers. The fierce gun battle lasted for more than two hours.â??The young and valiant Alvarez is a great loss not only in our community but to the entire nation. We grieve for his lost as he defended our nation against the enemies of the state,â? Zone 1 Barangay Chairman Thomas Araneta said during the interment yesterday.Earlier, military officials led by AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado gave honors to the seven (7) Marine soldiers who were killed in a clash with the ASG including Alvarez who was also flown to Manila for the awarding of Presidential honors. The young Alvarez is the 4th in a family of five (5) children and is survived by his father Bernardito â??Litongâ? Alvarez and brothers William, Wilbert, Wilfredo and Warren (Monch L. Follosco)

Via Zamboanga Today