Decorated army general passes away

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Former Zamboanga City mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar on Sunday announced the passing of her husband, retired military major general Trifonio Salazar, whose exploits in the South helped capture or kill many terrorists during his stint as army division commander.

“It is with deep sorrow that I am announcing the passing of my husband, Retired Major General Trifonio Peñaflorida Salazar at the age of 74. He left us last night at 9:03 in the evening, January 14, 2023, which is also the birthday of his mother, Rosa Salazar,” the mayor said in a Facebook post.

“His love and devotion as a father to his children, as a caring grandfather to his grandchildren and as a faithful husband to me will surely be kept in the trove of our memories and will never be forgotten. He's gone now, my husband, who has shown valor and heroism as a decorated military officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines yet lived a simple life and with integrity as a public servant through the years,” she added.

Former Zamboanga City mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar with husband retired Major General Trifonio Salazar in this photo taken on December 25, 2022. (MBC)

The 74-year old Salazar was a decorated army general and served as commander of the 1st Infantry Division. During his stint, Salazar’s forces stormed a hideout of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group here in May 2004 and captured a senior militant leader, Usman Lidjal, implicated in the kidnappings of two Belgian nationals and a British girl.

Lidjal’s group also provided sanctuary to Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani soon after they were kidnapped in Dos Palmas resort in Palawan Island Kansas missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Californian Guillermo Sobero and other Filipino holiday-makers in 2001.

Salazar also served as head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency from 2010 to 2013 with President Benigno Aquino describing the war veteran as having “done a lot of good in the intel community in the three years that he was NICA chief.”

Since his retirement, Salazar dedicated his life with his wife, who served as deputy speaker in the House of Representative and later on won as mayor of Zamboanga and served for three consecutive terms.

“Being married to me, he also learned to love Zamboanga City which he considers his second home. Known for his strict disposition, TP dedicated his life by visiting communities, listening to their stories and making sure things are being done to make their lives better than they were before. You will surely be missed by the people whose lives you have touched,” the former mayor said.

Prior to his death, Salazar was undergoing dialysis. (Mindanao Examiner)