Press Release No. 153-03

10 April 2003

STATEMENT BY FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY BLAS F. OPLE ON THE DEATH OF FILIPINO US MARINE CORPS GUNNERY SGT. JOSEPH MENUSA

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople expressed his profound grief over the death of   U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Menusa , a Filipino national,  who died in combat in Iraq last week.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. confirmed Menusa’s Philippine nationality from the records of the U.S. Marine Corps Liaison Office.  Secretary Ople said Menusa died a hero’s death while securing the oil fields for the future of the Iraqi people when his infantry unit was ambushed by Iraqi forces.

“I wish to express the Philippine government’s profound condolence to the family and friends of Sgt. Menusa, who gave his life, not only in the defense of the United States, but also to promote global stability and peace as a vital member of the coalition seeking the immediate disarmament of Iraq,” Secretary Ople said.

 According to an AP wire report, Menusa, a 33-year old gunnery sergeant and veteran of the 1991 Gulf War,  was shot in the head during a March 27 ambush. Relatives said he had tried for seven years as a permanent resident to acquire citizenship but his military schedule caused him to miss appointments with immigration officials.

The Philippine-born Marine was posthumously awarded US citizenship last week. (END)