Soldier keeps promise to ‘return’ home

SULOP, Davao del Sur, Philippines—Corporal Allan Camerino promised his family here that he would come home on his 33rd birthday on Sept. 25.

Camerino rarely skipped a birthday celebration, as it was an opportunity to be with his family.

For this year, he told his mother to prepare lechon for his birthday and that he was being careful, as he and his unit were battling Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in Zamboanga City.

His mother, Erlinda, said her son assured the family a few days before Sept. 17 that he was safe, as he wore a bulletproof vest.

Last conversation

“I told him to also pray hard and ask for God’s mercy in the face of danger,” a teary-eyed Erlinda told the Inquirer.

She said it was the last conversation she and other members of the family had with Allan.

On Sept. 17, the family received information that Allan was among those killed in action in fighting with the MNLF rebels.

Sniper fire to the head and armpit killed Camerino.

“He died outright,” Erlinda said.

On Sept. 19, Allan made good his promise to come home. But he came home in a coffin.

“We are very sad, but we must accept his fate,” Erlinda said.

The planned birthday celebration would no longer be held, she said, but Allan would get his second wish on Sept. 25.

“The pig has been prepared and we will still slaughter it on his birthday,” she said.