MORE than a month after Negrense Corporal Rey Ga was injured in an encounter with Maute bandits in Marawi City, his twin soldier-brother was also injured in a similar clash last Wednesday, July 5.
Private First Class Roy Ga, 30, of Barangay Dulao in Bago City, Negros Occidental, was among the troopers of the 4th Company, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Mindanao deployed in Marawi City since the clash started last May 23.
Ga, in a telephone interview with VoxPop Bacolod Sunday night, July 9, said he was hit by a shrapnel in his right leg around 7 p.m. on July 5.
He was immediately brought by his fellow soldier to the military's temporary medical center. He was later transferred to a hospital in Iligan City.
The Negrense soldier is now recuperating at the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.
“This is part of our obligation to serve the country. I am aware of the possibility to be killed anytime and I’m always ready for it,” Ga said, adding that this is the first time he was injured in battle in almost seven years of being a soldier.
Ga, a father of one, entered the military service in 2011, five years after his twin brother Rey became a scout ranger under the 2nd Company, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion.
Rey was seriously hit in his left hand during an assault, causing the amputation of his little finger.
He is still recuperating at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center in Quezon City.
“Upon hearing what happened to Roy, I immediately called him to check his condition. Thank God, he is safe now,” Rey said, adding that “prayer is still the ultimate weapon in any kind of battle in life.”
The twins’ older brother Roderick is also a scout ranger, and is now in Marawi as well.
Roy said there seems a “never-ending battle” in Marawi although they believe that the Maute force is already getting weaker.
“We pray for our older brother and fellow soldiers who are still fighting in Marawi,” he said, adding that they continue to pray for peace so that no more lives will be wasted.
Prayers, admiration
Meanwhile, Negrenses took to social media to share their prayers and express admiration for the Ga brothers whom they consider as heroes.
Their sister Rosie posted a photo of Roy on Facebook, with a caption stating that she hopes the conflict in Mindanao will end soon so that her brothers will no longer be in danger.
“We are still blessed because they were given a second life. God is really good, He is always with us,” she said, adding that “I am very proud of my three brothers.”
The said social media post was flooded by likes and comments mostly from their relatives, friends, and fellow Bagonhons.
Dandy Minglavilla posted “God bless, we pray for your fast recovery,” similar to the comment of Anabeth Bermudez.
Cammia Lagomayo and Jeff Beboso expressed their gratitude to the twin-soldiers and said they are very proud of them.
Chris Bobole, meanwhile, urged prayers for them as well as for other soldiers in Mindanao.
“I salute the heroism of the two of you, praise the Lord for always being on your side,” she added.
