The military has already identified the killers of 14 Marines ambushed by Islamic secessionists in southern Philippines last July 10. But it is still in the dark as to whom among the three wives of one of the Marine casualties will get a scholarship intended for children of fallen soldiers.

Local newspapers reported that Corporal Russel Panaga, who was among those beheaded by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, left three wives, two of whom he sired three children.

Panaga was married to Marilou, 28, in December. She received a scholarship certificate from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a ceremony honoring the fallen Marines.

The scholarship entitles their children to free education at the Integrated Montessori Center. They have no child but Marilou accepted the scholarship for the daughters of her husband with two other women.

Panaga had two daughters, aged two and four, from Maridel Bitancor, 31, of Sorsogon province. He also had a three-year-old daughter from Teresa Onque, 27, of Davao City.

The three wives and their children were together during the ceremony. They have accepted the situation and were cordial to each other.

Under military rules, only the legitimate children of soldiers are entitled to scholarship benefits. The AFP Education Benefit System Office said it will seek a legal opinion on the case of Panaga's children.

Marilou had known Russel since 2003 and knows he had children with Bitancor. She did not know about Onque and her daughter with Russel until they met in Manila, where his remains was brought.

Bitancor said she had known Russel since 1999 and knows about Onque and Marilou. But she did not know he was married to Marilou. Onque only knew about Marilou and his children with her.