Remains of slain soldier in Marawi siege arrives in Negros Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 1): Remains of slain soldier in Marawi siege arrives in Negros Oriental

The remains of the slain Army officer from Bais City, Negros Oriental arrived here Thursday afternoon on board a Philippine Air Force Nomad aircraft from Mindanao.

2Lt. MacGlen Abuyabor, 28 years old, single, was killed by sniper fire early Wednesday morning during a clash with terrorists of the Maute group that has besieged Marawi City for several days now.

He was received with full military honors from the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Negros Island Geographical Battalion at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport.

Also on hand were the slain soldiers’ parents, families and friends; Atty. Lloyd Elmaco, the Bais City Legal Officer; Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and Bantay Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan local chapter head Marietta Jambora, among others.

In an interview, Police Officer 1 Jaykel Abuyabor, the younger brother of the slain soldier, disclosed that MacGlen visited them just last week in Bais City from Lapu-lapu City in Cebu after complying with some requirements for his promotion.

MacGlen already came from Marawi City before working on his promotion but was asked to return, the younger brother said.

The soldier’s last message to him when they accompanied him to the bus stop was to take care of their parents and not to leave them alone, said PO1 Abuyabor.

His last text message, according to the brother, was to send roses this Saturday to a girl in Dumaguete City that 2Lt. Abuyabor appeared to have interest in, he added.

The police officer said he would still send the flowers to the girl this Saturday.

According to him, the family first knew on Wednesday through social media that 2Lt. Abuyabor was wounded but later the classmates called him and somebody from G-1 of the Philippine Army also called to confirm that he had died.

2Lt. Abuyabor was assigned to the Light Ranger Regiment of the SOCOM (Special Operations Command), his brother said.

Initial reports reaching the family said the soldier was hit by sniper fire twice on the right side of his body around 6:00 a.m. Wednesday somewhere in Marawi City, but his body was extricated several hours later due to the presence of terrorist snipers.

Evangeline and Alex, Abuyabor's parents,can not accept the death of their middle child, saying he was too young to die. Evangeline kept on saying it hurts to lose his son, who was kind and generous.

The mother, in between sobs, said it was not fair that many soldiers got killed by these terrorists.

She appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to do all that it takes to finally end the crisis in Marawi City otherwise there would be more soldiers killed.

“Mahal na Presidente, bigyan nyo po ng hustiya ang pagkamatay ng anak kong si MacGlen” (Dear Mr. President, please give justice to the death of my son, MacGlen), she wailed.

To the Maute group, she said they did not have the heart and were ruthless in killing his son.

2Lt. Abuyabor has been in the Army for three years and had graduated Cum Laude with a degree in business administration at the Negros Oriental State University in Bais City.

Meanwhile, Atty. Elmaco assured that the Bais City local government unit will be giving financial assistance to the bereaved family.

The slain Army soldier will be buried in about three days, said the younger brother, because they could not bear seeing him in a coffin.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/992774