MANILA, (PNA) — With the smoke of battle now beginning to dissipate, the 1st Infantry Division on Thursday formally recognized its personnel who demonstrated bravery and gallantry during their defense of Zamboanga City during the 20-day stand-off with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters under the command of Nur Misuari.
But two 1st Infantry Division troops were no longer around to tell their stories to their families and friends as they were among those killed-in-action during the crisis.
Thirty-three of the 192 wounded in action in the government side were soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division.
Capt. Jefferson Somera, the unit’s spokesperson, identified those killed in action as Pfc. Julmuin J. Abdulahid, assigned at the 32nd Infantry Battalion and a resident of Indanan, Sulu and Cpl. Hakim I. Jaafar, a member of the 44th Infantry Battalion and a native of Parang, Sulu.
Both were former members of MNLF who were integrated in the military.
Abdulahid was the first fatality of the 1st Infantry Division when the standoff started on Sept. 9 at Barangay Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City.
While Jaafar was killed last Sept. 30 in the same area, two days after the operations was declared manageable by authorities.
Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad, Jr., 1st Infantry Division commander, expressed his deepest sympathy not only to the bereaved families of the two fallen troopers but also of the other AFP by saying:
“Before, they were among our brothers who took arms against the State, now they are heroes defending our State. They were true to their oath of loyalty to the Philippine Flag. 1st Infantry Division was very lucky having them, they are warriors and heroes, and they will never be forgotten,” he added.