Naval Forces Western Mindanao honors fallen Marine in Sulu

Officers, men and civilian employees of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) in Calarian, Zamboanga City last week rendered funeral honors to the remains of the late Philippine Marines Sgt. Randy B. Cariaso, a member of the 62nd Marine Company in Sulu who was killed in action in Minis Island in Patikul.

While conducting clearing operations, troops from 62nd Marine Company encountered an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in the area.

Sgt. Cariaso was unfortunately killed during the encounter together with three ASG bandits.

Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, extended his condolences to the family of Cariaso.

"The NFWM and the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a whole express their sympathy to the family of the fallen Marine hero who bravely sacrificed his life to end the fight against the Abu Sayyaf Group and other Lawless Terrorists Groups," Medina said.

"His comrades assure that his death will not be in vain; that they will carry on the fight to bring back the peace in the Western Mindanao region," he added.

A report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom), disclosed that operating troops of the Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu encountered more or less 50 ASG members under Majid Emamil on Minis Island, Patikul, Sulu on Thursday.

The encounter, according to WestMinCom, took place at around 2:25 a.m.

Recovered from the encounter site were two M-14 rifles.