Boholano Marine shot dead by Mautes in Marawi interred

SAN MIGUEL, BOHOL, Philippines — The remains of Corporal John Romulo Caresosa Garcia, 29, a native of San Miguel town and a member of the 7th Infantry Brigade Marines, was interred at the cemetery here at past 12 noon Saturday after a holy Mass at barangay Mahayag of this town.

Relatives and townsfolk attended the burial of Garcia, who they considered as their hero, said Mayor Nunila Mendez-Pinat, adding that a day before his remains was placed at the Municipal hall for residents here to pay their last respects to the fallen hero.

The Municipal Council, as well as the Bohol Provincial Board, had approved their respective resolution expressing condolence to the family of Garcia, said the mayor.

Garcia was shot dead by a sniper believed to be member of Maute terrorists while trying to take Eddie Cardona, his buddy’s corpse out of combat zone operations in Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur, the hero’s father, said in exclusive interview.

The father said his son, while pulling his comrade’s body out of the scene and was able to cross the bridge, but he was sighted by a Maute sniper hitting his back and leaving 11 others dead at a Mosque after the terrorist fired at them. “He did not make it to the hospital,” he added.

Cpl Garcia, he said, was among the 13 Marines who discovered cache of cash and checks amounting to more than P80 million believed to be hidden by terrorists.

The elder Garcia said he learned this after he was told of his eldest son’s exploits in the war zone. “Proud kaayo ‘mi niya sa pakigbisog batok sa mga dautan. (Apan), sakit kaayo namo nga nawad-an sa among pamilya. Di lalim,” he said while trying to hold back his tears.

The remains of Cpl. Garcia, a native of Barangay Kagawasan of this hinterland town, arrived on Wednesday last week, and was slated to be buried on June 24 at the Barangay Mahayag cemetery.

The last time the soldier was with the family was during his vacation sometime in November 2016. He promised to come home by December in time for the barangay fiesta, but he failed because, while he was under retraining for promotion, he was assigned to Marawi on June 5. Four days later he was killed. (FREEMAN)