PB Pays Tribute to Fallen Troops in Marawi

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) approved on Monday a resolution commending policemen and soldiers who died in the ongoing siege in Marawi City by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked terror group Maute.

“The entire nation mourns the death of policemen and soldiers who laid down their lives in the call of duty,” the resolution authored by PB Member Thadeo Jovito Quano read.

He said the resolution serves to convey the Cebuanos’ deep gratitude for the sacrifice of government troops in the service of the country and their heroic performance of their sworn constitutional duty as protector of the state.

“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Cebu salutes the courage and bravery of our policemen and soldiers who sacrificed their lives, their dreams and aspirations to ensure that our beloved country is secure from the continuing threats of terrorism,” Quano said.

Corporal Reymund Paracuelles, a native of Barangay Manduyong, Badian Cebu who serves the army, is the first Cebuano casualty in the Marawi battle.

Ouano said he is considering of filing another resolution to give cash aid to the family of Paracuelles.

“I still need to talk to the governor of the amount when he comes back from vacation,” he said.

In an open letter to Cebuanos earlier, Gov. Hilario P. Davide III expressed his sympathy to the family of Paracuelles.

“I may not know him personally, but nothing pains me more than knowing the valiant death of a struggling soldier. Soldering is hard, a no pathway to wealth and riches; it requires a lot of dedication, rigid training, balls and everything, and certainly it’s not for the timid and faint-hearted,” he said.

“And giving one’s life for the country is the highest act of patriotism possible,” Davide added.

The governor said that “soldiers in Marawi City who fought bravely and died defending the freedom and protecting the lives of the innocents, though fallen, are never the vanquished.”

Two weeks ago, the provincial board approved a measure granting a P1 million cash aid to the battle-torn city.

cebu.gov.ph