Soldier’s widow vows to nurture child away from violence

MLANG, North Cotabato—Gloom was cast all over the sky as if the heavens cried when the casket of 29-year-old Army Special Forces member Cpl. Adonis Alejo arrived in this town on Wednesday.

The emotion held by his family must have reached the heavens, too, as there were flashing and roaring above while his casket was being lowered from the funeral car.

Adonis’ body finally arrived home in Barangay Tibao here, two days after he was killed in a heavy clash between his unit and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gunmen in Pikit town.

Adonis’ unit was part of the reinforcement and blocking forces deployed by the military following the attack by BIFF men in Midsayap town, which is adjacent to Pikit.

When he left for duty on Sept. 22, Rebeca Alejo said her husband pledged to return a week later so they could finalize their plan to buy a farm lot near their house “for the future of our two children.”

Before leaving, Rebeca said her husband told her to take care of the children.

Rebeca said she knew her husband would return home as he did in the past, as he was a man of words and always stood by his pledge.

But what she did not know was that this time, he would be returning home dead.

“We spent the whole morning [together] on Sunday and he brought me and the children to the market for a simple snack. He always wanted us to grab any chance to bond as a family,” she said, adding that Adonis was his usual self, a loving father and husband.

“I detest the people who did this,” she said. But Rebeca immediately said that even if she was angry, revenge was farthest from her mind.

“[But] I am worried about my son (4-year-old Radz Andrei), because at his age, he already wants to exact revenge, which is dangerous,” she said.

Rebeca said she would make sure that her son understands that revenge should not be his way of life.

“I will never allow him to become a soldier like his father and I will try my best to nurture him away from violence,” she said.

Rebeca said she knew the wounds brought by Adonis’ death would heal with time.

These days, the only wish she has is for the military to put an end to the atrocities committed by lawless groups, such as the BIFF. Williamor Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao