President Duterte pays tribute to fallen Army soldiers in Misamis Oriental

President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at the Loyola Chapel inside this Army Camp past 6:00 p.m. Friday to pay his last respects to two soldiers killed in the line of duty and condole with their families. (Photo: ACE MORANDANTE/Presidential Photo)

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan De Oro City—President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at the Loyola Chapel inside this Army Camp past 6:00 p.m. Friday to pay his last respects to two soldiers killed in the line of duty and condole with their families.

The slain soldiers were identified as Cpl. Marzon Morales, and Pvt. Oshin Rosala, all of the 58th Infantry Battalion, based in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The soldiers were killed and four others were wounded in a running gunbattle with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental last Monday.

President Duterte first talked to Aiza, the grieving wife of Morales, inside the Chapel where the President extended financial assistance and awarded a posthumous medal to the fallen soldier.

After talking with the widow, he proceeded to the coffin of Rosala and talked to the surviving mother. Rosala was still single.

The President also gave the posthumous medal to Rosala’s mother and extended to her financial assistance.

From the chapel, Duterte went to the Army Station Hospital to confer the military wounded medal to the four soldiers identified as Private First Class Marquin R. Variacion, Private First Class Vincent Nino L. Lopez, Private Regie Joy Duyan and Private Ramon B. Balibagon.

Three other wounded soldiers who were earlier confined in the Army hospital were also conferred the military wounded medal.

Military officials said that the wounded government troopers were already in stable condition.