Slain officer conferred highest combat award
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Wednesday conferred the highest combat award posthumously to slain Lt. Col. Angel Benitez.
Teodoro gave the Distinguish Conduct Star to Benitez's widow Maria Elena or "Cookie" in an unannounced visit to the wake of Benitez at the slain officer's residence in Barangay Tabuc Suba in Jaro District here.
The award is the highest combat medal given to military personnel for bravery and gallantry in action, according to Lt. Col. David Tan, public information officer of the Army's 3rdInfantry Division.
Benitez, 40, executive officer of the 102nd Army Brigade, was killed along with other soldiers, when they were trapped by Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Lanao del Norte on August 18. He was the highest ranking soldier killed by Moro rebels since 2005.
Teodoro along with Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and top Defense and military officials arrived past 6 p.m. on board a military plane and proceeded to the wake of Benitez. They left for Manila around 9 p.m.
Cookie said her husband's mistahs (classmates) at the Philippine Military Academy (class of 1990) agreed to pin the medal to the uniform being worn by Benitez.
She welcomed the award given to her husband.
"We are thankful that Secretary Teodoro and other officials took time to come here and give this medal. It shows that we are not alone and that is an important thing for my children," Cookie said in a telephone interview after the medal was given.
Teodoro assured Cookie that justice will be given to her husband and that the government will not stop until those responsible for his death will be punished.
The Defense Secretary said Benitez will given full military honors on his burial here set on August 30, according to Cookie.
The government will also provide financial assistance to the family. Benitez and Cookie has four children age 9 to 15 years old.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has also granted a P10,000 assistance each to the family of Benitez and Marine Cpl. Angelo Abeto.
Benitez is a native of Naguilian town in La Union but has been residing here since he married Cookie 16 years ago.
Abeto, from Mandurriao District here, died on August 11 after he was mortally wounded in a firefight with MILF rebels in Basilan.