MANILA – Truly, they are fallen but not forgotten. The family of a 29-year-old soldier who led his platoon in fierce battles with the Maute Group in Marawi City, and whose unit recovered P79 million from a house used by the terrorists, was among those reached out to by the MVP Group in a campaign to help government forces who perished in the still-ongoing siege.
Business leader Manuel V. Pangilinan recently led the turnover of financial assistance to the families of the fallen 98 soldiers and three police officers during the Marawi siege that began two months ago.
In coordination with the Duterte Cabinet Spouses Association, companies chaired or headed by Pangilinan, such as PLDT and Smart Communications through the PLDT-Smart Foundation, MERALCO, through its One Meralco Foundation, Philex Mining Corporation, and Metro Pacific Investments joined together to pool enough resources and funds to extend their help to the families.
“It’s good that they have this kind of assistance for the families in Marawi. Nagulat kami, because MVP [as Pangilinan is more famously called] is involved in this kind of project to help us and maybe to ease our pain. We appreciate the MVP Group’s gesture and it is a big help for all of us,” said Mercy Savellano, the mother of Marine 1st Lt. John Frederick Savellano.
The 29-year old Savellano led his platoon of 13 Marines in a firefight against the Maute Group in Marawi City. Savellano and his troop recovered P79-million worth of cash and checks from the terrorist group.
“He was a good son and a good person. John, when you describe him, was a principled man. He was very honest and he had integrity. And we are really proud of him,” said Mercy.
