By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The remains of Corporal Ariel Arquio, who was killed on July 28 during a gun battle with the Islamic State-backed Maute terror group in Marawi City, were returned to his hometown of Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
His remains arrived at Bacolod-Silay Airport last Friday, where honors were rendered by the Philippine Army before being transported to Barangay Inayauan, Cauayan.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod over the weekend, Arquio’s widow, Maria Fe, said she received a call from her husband shortly before he was killed.
On the day he was killed, a Friday, Arquio recounted, her husband’s voice sounded weak and she could barely understand him. She subsequently called repeatedly but there was no answer. It was not until Monday that she received notice from her husband’s squad mates that he had been killed.
Arquio served with the 63rd Infantry Battalion.
The slain soldier is scheduled to be buried later this week./WDJ