ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / 8 Feb) – The First Infantry “Tabak” Division of the Philippine Army tendered a funeral departure honors to the late Col. Nolie L. Anquillano, the deputy commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi City, on Monday at the Sto. Niño de Tabak Chapel in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Anquillano drowned in an accident on February 5 during a scuba dive at Purok 6, Tubigan, Initao, Misamis Oriental, said Maj. Mary Jephte Mañebog, chief of the 1ID’s public affairs office.
Anquillano was reportedly with his dive classmates from the Philippine National Police and his fellow Army officers.
He was reported missing aroung 10:20 a.m., and was retrieved by dive masters by 1:15 p.m. He was rushed to the Misamis Oreintal Provincial Hospital in Initao, but was pronounced dead by the attending physician at 1:40 p.m.
Mañebog said a formal and solemn send-off ceremony was held at the Pagadian City Airport at 4 p.m. Monday with Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, the 1ID commander; Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 103IB commander; and other officers who paid their last respects to the late deputy brigade commander.
The cadaver was transported to Villamor Air Base onboard C295 military transport aircraft.
Cuerpo said Anquillano’s body was accompanied by wife Annabel. It was brought to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City for the wake and will be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani, the schedule to be announced later.
The late Anquillano was a member of the Officer Candidate Course Class 5-1990.
He is survived by his wife Annabel and two daughters. (Richel V. Umel / MindaNews)
