CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Two members of the government forces from Pampanga were killed in the ongoing gunfight against the Maute Terror Group in Marawi City.
Police Inspector Edwin Placido, Marawi City police deputy chief, and First Lieutenant Frederick Savellano lost their lives while defending the Islamic city.
Placido hails from the City of San Fernando and was detailed at the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Luzon before he was deployed to Marawi City.
The PRO-Central Luzon, led by its director Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, recently remembered the heroism of Placido through a simple ceremony held in Camp Olivas.
Meanwhile, Savellano is part of the 13 Marines, who were killed during the 48-hour encounter in Barangay Mandaya in Marawi City.
Four days before his untimely death, Savellano led his platoon in recovering the P52-million cash and P27-million worth of checks in a hideout abandoned by the Maute group.
Savellano has Kapampangan blood from his mother, Mercy Sagmit Savellano, who is a native of Minalin town.
The two Kapampangan fallen heroes, whose bodies were recently brought home to their respective headquarters, were given tribute for the sacrifices they gave in exchange for the country’s freedom.
Placido and Savellano are also set to receive heroes’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, together with the 46 other troops, who were killed in action, and 10 others that were killed in the “friendly fire” mishap.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said 202 terrorists and 58 soldiers and policemen were killed after three weeks of struggle to completely drive out the terrorist from Marawi City.
But despite the number, there are still about 150 to 200 remaining members of the Maute Group, who are engaging in a firefight with the armed forces, said Lieutenant Colonel Joar Herrera, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division. (With reports from VoxPop Philippines)
