CAMP OSITO BAHIAN, Malaybalay City (PIA)—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave cash assistance and conferred awards to the two soldiers killed in a C-130 plane crash in Patikul, Sulu.

It had been reported that a Philippine Air Force plane with 96 soldiers and crew members aboard flew to Sulu to join in the government’s fight against terrorism. The aircraft, however, missed a runway while trying to land and it crashed near a village called Bangkal in the town of Patikul on July 4. At least 50 people were killed, including troopers Mark Nash Lumanta and Vic Monera, both residents of Dagumbaan, Maramag, Bukidnon.

Lieutenant Colonel James P. Vingno, 88th Infantry Battalion (88th IB) commander, said that the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) recently visited the soldiers’ hometown in Maramag to hand in President Duterte’s initial cash aid.

Senator Bong Go, he said, also sent cash to Anastacio Lumanta, father of late soldier Mark Nash Lumanta, and Vilma Monera, mother of the late Vic Monera.

“Rest assured that we will closely coordinate with the higher headquarters to continue extending the necessary assistance. The ultimate sacrifices of your sons will never be in vain. They will always be remembered as heroes of our beloved country. We prayed for your families and relatives, asking the Lord to give you more strength and fortitude to get through these trying times,” Vingno told the parents who stood quietly during the giving out of monetary aid.

Brigadier General Ferdinand T. Barandon, 403rd Brigade commander, meanwhile, led the awarding of medals held at the soldiers’ respective homes. He conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with a rank of Kalasag to each of the fallen soldiers.

The medal is conferred to officials, public servants, and private persons who have been badly injured or have suffered great loss of property, and those who have died in the pursuit of the President's campaign and advocacy.

Before the awarding ceremony ended, Lumanta's father revealed that Nash had many aspirations for his 12 siblings that he hoped would come true someday.

“My only plea to the government is that, if given the chance—though he is gone—Nash could still pursue his desire of serving our country by enlisting his siblings and nephews in the military. I thanked President Duterte and Senator Bong Go for their help. Although accepting this tragedy is incredibly difficult for me as a parent, I have no choice,” he said.

Vilma Monera, mother of the late soldier Vic Monera, meanwhile, shared that her son is a Bachelor of Science in Nautical graduate, but did not pursue it because his wildest dream is to be a soldier. Her son, she said, aspires to serve and protect the country.

“My only fervent request is that, if at all possible, the Philippine Army will assist my second child in getting admitted in the military so that he can continue his elder brother's military service. It's extremely painful that my husband died recently. And now my beloved eldest, Vic, is also gone,” Monera shared.

The Army’s 403rd Brigade Commander condoled with the soldiers’ kin while thanking the Senator and President Duterte’s profound care for the bereaved in the aftermath of such a tragic loss.

“On behalf of our troops and the whole Philippine Army, I convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to the grieving families of our beloved soldiers,” Barandon said. (Brandy B. Tangob, CMO, 403Bde, 4ID, PA/RLRB, PIA Bukidnon)