Remains of slain soldier ferried home to Zamboanga City
Credit to Author: Alexander Magno| Date: Sat, 08 Dec 2018 15:48:37 +0000
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A soldier killed in a battle with the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul Sulu at 5:38 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, was ferried home on Saturday, a hero.
Cpl. Herald Marayag of the 21st Infantry Battalion was declared dead on arrival at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, where he was brought after a 30-minute firefight with the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul town on Friday.
His remains were ferried by troops to Zamboanga City at 8:20 p.m. Saturday, when Catholic communities celebrated the feast of the Mary Immaculate Concepcion.
“Today, we lost not only a soldier but also a brother in arms whose valiant act we shall always remember,” Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said as he joined the grieving families in mourning.
He said Marayag had given the ultimate sacrifice for peace to thrive in Sulu.
Troops of the 21st Infantry Battalion had engaged about 30 Abu Sayyaf members under Almujer Yadah, resulting in the seizure of an M14 rifle, three magazines, and a bandolier left by the fleeing bandits.