Remains of Army officer, slain in Marawi war vs terrorists, now home in Negros Oriental

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The remains of 2nd Lieutenant MacGlen Abuyabor, who died in the Marawi City gunbattle, arrived in Dumaguete City Thursday afternoon on board a Philippine Air Force Nomad plane from Mindanao.

Abuyabor, a Philippine Army officer from Bais City in Negros Oriental, was met with full military honors from the 79th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Negros Island Geographical Battalion at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport.

Also at the airport were Abuyabor's parents, families and friends, Bais City Legal Officer Lloyd Elmaco, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, and Bantay Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan local chapter head Marietta Jambora, among others.

MacGlen Abuyabor, a 28-year-old bachelor, was killed when hit twice on the right side of his body by sniper fire early Wednesday morning during a clash with terrorists of the Maute group that has besieged Marawi City for several days now. His body was extricated several hours later due to the presence of terrorist snipers everywhere.

MacGlen served three years in the Army after graduating cum laude with a degree in business administration at the Negros Oriental State University in Bais City. He was assigned to the Light Ranger Regiment of the SOCOM (Special Operations Command), said his brother, Police Officer 1 Jaykel Abuyabor.

Jaykel told local reporters 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 but was asked to return, the younger brother said.

The soldier's last message to Jaykel when the family accompanied him to the bus stop was to take care of their parents and not to leave them alone. Jaykel said MacGlen's last text was to send roses this Saturday to a girl in Dumaguete City that the soldier appeared to have interest in.

The police officer said he will still send the flowers to the girl today even though his brother already passed away. He added that the family first knew on Wednesday through social media that MacGlen was only wounded, but later the classmates called him, and somebody from G-1 of the Philippine Army also called to confirm that MacGlen had died.

Parents Evangeline and Alex Abuyabor could 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. In between sobs, she said it was not fair that many soldiers get killed by the terrorists.

She then appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to do all that it takes to finally end the crisis in Marawi City otherwise there will 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.

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

The slain Army officer will be buried in about three days, said the younger brother, because they could not bear seeing MacGlen in a coffin. (FREEMAN)