Army Scout Ranger Private First Class Segundiano Tamayo Jr., one of the 10 soldiers killed in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Barangay Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan, last month, was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, amid a 21-gun salute.

His father, retired 2Lt Segundiano Tamayo Sr. and brother, PFC Richard Tamayo, who is presently with the 73rd IB in Maasin, Saranggani province, said after the burial that they understand the life of a soldier, and for them, the scout ranger died a hero.

They both thanked President Benigno Aquino III for extending condolences, sending flowers, and ensuring that all due benefits are received by the family.

Lt. Col Oriel Pangcog, commander of the First Scout Ranger Battalion based in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, and his men rendered full military honors to Tamayo.

He said Tamayo was entitled to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, Metro Manila, but his family chose to bury him in his hometown.

Pangcog said that, aside from the insurance and benefits accorded to a fallen soldier, that ranges from P630,000 to P760,000, depending on rank and length of military service, the Scout Ranger regiment also extended financial assistance collected through a “pass-the-hat” among scout rangers all over the country.

Tamayo was among the 40-man patrol of the Army’s 11th Scout Ranger Company, 4th Scout Ranger Battalion of the Special Operation Command, that encountered about 150 heavily-armed members of the Al-Qaeda linked ASG in almost 10 hours of firefighting last July 26.

Also killed were Corporal Jerry Areglado and PFCs. Rey Evangelista, Arnold Coresis, Cleto Algayan, Kenneth John Maribao, Jose Marvin Talamente Jr., Mark Ocampo, Arwin Martirez, and Erwin Alerta.*JG

back to top