Soldier survives Marawi, but not motorcycle accident

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The young soldier awarded by President Duterte after he got wounded in the Marawi City siege died in a motorcycle accident while on vacation in his hometown in Barangay Centro West, Allacapan, Cagayan last week.

Pvt. Relly Boy Dalire, 22, died while undergoing treatment at the Far North Hospital in Luna, Apayao at 11:30 p.m. of June 21.

 His cousin Eric Dalire, 22, who was riding with him when the accident happened, was also confined in the hospital.

Allacapan chief of police Sr. Insp. Efren Tangonan said the victims were about to go home after a drinking spree at the house of their relative, former vice mayor John Dalire, when they crashed against the tricycle driven by Jayson Time around 8:30 p.m.

Dalire was among the survivors of the tank blown by the terrorist Maute group during the first days of the Marawi siege.

The President awarded Dalire a gold cross medal and was given cash award and a brand new pistol for his bravery.

Before his death, Dalire posted on his Facebook page that he wanted to go back to Marawi soon because he felt he had not yet given his utmost service to the country.

he siege, which began on May 23, has already claimed the lives of 69 soldiers and policemen and 26 civilians.

Only four villages out of the 19 that were occupied earlier remain in the hands of terrorists.