Speaker Romualdez has released financial aid packages to families fallen, wounded in Lanao del Norte clashes — Deputy Majority Leader Tulfo

UPON the instructions of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has extended financial aid to the families of the six soldiers who perished and the six troops who were wounded during clashes with terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute in Lanao del Norte last February 18.

This was reported Sunday by Deputy Majority Leader for Communications and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo who said that over P4.14 million in financial, education and livelihood assistance from the Speaker’s personal calamity and emergency funds were given to the families of the 12 soldiers from last week of February until today

“The amount was released to them as per the instructions of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. Hindi po nito mababayaran ang buhay na nawala o ang pinsalang dulot ng digmaan, pero sana ay makatulong ito sa pamilya ng ating mga magigiting na sundalo,” Tulfo said.

On top of this, Tulfo said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will also provide livelihood and educational assistance to the victims and their dependents as instructed by President Marcos.

Earlier, Speaker Romualdez disclosed that President Marcos Jr. directed him to provide financial aid to the families of Corporal Rey Anthony Salvador, Corporal Reland Tapinit, Corporal Rodel Mobida, PFC Arnel Tornito, Pvt Micharl John Lumingkit, and Pvt James Porras who all died during the clashes with extremists.

The directive also includes providing aid to those wounded, namely: Corporal Jaymark Remotigue, PFC Marvien Aguipo, Pvt Amiril Sakinal, Corporal Rey Mark Limare, Corporal Ernil G Quiñones and Pvt Nazareno Provido.

“Inutusan tayo ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. na ipaabot sa ating mga opisyal ng AFP na naririto ngayon sa Sultan Kudarat ang dagdag na benepisyong inilaan natin para sa mga sundalo at kanilang pamilya na naapektuhan ng labanang naganap kontra sa grupong Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute,” Romualdez said.

“Nagresulta ang engkwentro sa pagkawala ng anim na magigiting na sundalo at pagkasugat ng apat na iba pa. Ang mga sundalong ito ay nagpakita ng walang kapantay na tapang at dedikasyon sa ating bansa habang sila ay nakikipaglaban sa mga miyembro ng grupong terorista,” he added.

Reports indicate that the extremist group clashed with soldiers from the 44th Infantry Batallion in Barangay Ramain, Munai town in Lanao del Norte, leading to the death of six soldiers and the injury of six others.

Tulfo said that for the families of the six fallen “heroes,” namely Salvador, Tapinit, Mobida, Tornito, Lumingkit, and Porras, an aid package worth at least P400,000 to P430,000 was granted to them: P300,000 in cash aid, P30,000 in schooling aid for each child, and P100,000 in livelihood assistance.

Agusan del Sur Rep. Alfelito Bascug and Zamboanga City Khymer Adan Olaso turned over the financial packages to the families of Porras, Salvador, and Lumingkit respectively.

Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Rep. Divina Grace C. Yu gave the financial aid to the loved ones of Lumingkit and Tornito.

Yu and Zamboanga del Sur 2nd District Rep. Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu turned over the cash assistance to the family of Mobida.

Lanao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Sittie Aminah Q. Dimaporo turned over the aid to the family of Tapinit.

For the six wounded soldiers and their families, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan turned over the amount of P150,000 as cash aid, P30,000 in schooling aid for each child, and P100,000 in livelihood assistance. Two of the wounded soldier have a child, while the other four had none.

“Ang mga hakbang na ito ay patunay sa pasasalamat at pangako ng bansa sa kagalingan ng ating mga tauhan ng militar at ng kanilang mga pamilya. Kinikilala natin ang malalim na sakripisyo ng ating mga sundalo para tiyakin ang ating kaligtasan at kalayaan. Nararapat lamang na suportahan natin sila at ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay sa panahon ng pangangailangan,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Taos-puso tayong nakikiramay sa mga pamilya nina Corporal Rey Anthony Salvador, Corporal Reland Tapinit, Corporal Rodel Mobida, PFC Arnel Tornito, Pvt Micharl John Lumingkit, at Pvt James Porras. Dagdag pa rito, nais natin ng mabilis na paggaling sa mga sugatang bayani, sina Corporal Rey Mark Limare, Corporal Ernil G Quiñones, Corporal Jaymark Remotigue, PFC Marvien Aguipo, Pvt Amiril Sakinal, at Pvt Nazareno Provido,” he added.