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Philippine Marines who have given their lives in defense
of the Philippines and their fellow Marines.
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The following article is the first casualty report published by the Armed Forces of the Philippines since the liberation of Kauswagan Town by Marine Forces last March 2000 with the death of 1st Lt. Javier and other Marines. The succeeding casualties were not released to the public as well as those in the 2nd and 3rd Marine Brigades operating in the area around Cotobato City.
I know several of these Marines personally, particularly the three who were killed in the V-300 whom I last saw during my visit in the area last April 2000.
Rest Peacefully My Friends.
MANILA, May 15 (PNA) -
Three Philippine Marines were killed when their armored personnel
carrier (APC) V-300 was hit by an anti-tank rocket Sunday as
heavy fighting continued to rage between government forces and
Muslim rebels in Matanog, Maguindanao, a military report said.
A report received today by AFP chief of staff Gen. Angelo T. Reyes said elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 (MBLT4) were in combat maneuever when they encountered an undetermined number of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Barangay Bayanga, Matanog near Camp Abubakar.
At the height of the fighting, one APC V-300 was hit by an enemy anti-tank projectile, killing three crew members identified as S/Sgt. Nemsio B. Umbao, S/Sgt. Nonito L. Hermo and T/Sgt. Diomedes M. Nunez.
But before their armored vehicle was hit, they were able to fire their .50 caliber machineguns and (sic)105mm howitzers(90mm Gun)at the rebels.
The MILF also sustained some casualties but it could not be determined how many.
The Marines have been battling MILF forces entrenched in heavily fortified concrete bunkers constructed along the Narciso Ramos Highway.
Twenty-one soldiers have been declared missing since May 3 but the remains of one Marine trooper was recovered last Friday.
Government forces, backed by artillery, planes and helicopter gunships have bombarded the satellite camps around Camp Abubakar.
Full stories on balita webpage.
4. Marine Songs on ABS CBN Forum and other comments.
