Pagadian City (October 24, 2019) - After four months of training, three widows of the
Marawi heroes who died during the Marawi siege capped off the Candidate Soldier
Course conducted by the 1st Infantry Division in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
By virtue of President Rodrigo Duterte’s authority, Private
Grace P. Allaga, Private Merzie G. Rogador and Private Christine Mary E.
Montero are now considered military enlisted personnel and were among the 649
newly ranked privates who took their oath during the Closing Ceremony and
Entrustment of Firearms held at the TABAK Grandstand on Wednesday, October 23.
Private Allaga is the widow of late Corporal Ardnie R. Allaga
who is assigned at the 10th Infantry Battalion. The corporal died on August
2017 when the government troops were gaining grounds in Marawi and captured the
strategic locations of Maute group.
Private Rogador is the widow of Private 1st Class Eldon C.
Rogador, who belonged to the 51st Infantry Battalion. Male Rogador was the
cousin of late PFC Bayot, the fallen soldier who called his commanding officer
to bomb his location.
Meanwhile, Private Montero is the wife of late Corporal Marjone
G. Montero who also belonged to the 51st IB who died on Father’s Day.
The women were emotional after attending the graduation
ceremony, as they tried to remain strong after losing their husbands in the
armed conflict between the military and the Maute group in the 2017 Marawi
siege.
Trained and equipped, they are now ready to continue the legacy
left by their husbands, that is to serve the people and country.