Push Admin

Fallen Marine's parents remember loving, 'makulit' son

Article (news)

Andrew Jonathan Bagaoisan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/13/savellano-s-image4-2017.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Savellano&#x27;s casket is guarded by a Marine at a chapel in the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>They remember him as a sweet and loving son. But they want the country to remember him as a committed soldier of honesty and integrity.</p><p>For Freddie and Mercy Savellano, parents of Marine 1st Lt. John Frederick Savellano, the best greeting that people coming to his wake in Fort Bonifacio could give is not expressions of sympathy.</p><p>&quot;When people first came, they would say &#x27;condolences&#x27;, but on social media, they called him a hero. So I&#x27;ve been saying &#x27;It&#x27;s not condolences, it&#x27;s congratulations, because we produced a hero&#x27;,&quot; his father Freddie said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>The 29-year-old soldier - who his family called Jeff- commanded the group of 13 Marines who died in a firefight with the Maute Group in Marawi City on June 9. He also led the team which earlier <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/05/17/p79-m-in-cash-checks-found-in-fallen-maute-stronghold">recovered </a>P79-million worth of cash and checks from the terrorist group.</p><p>His remains and that of 10 others were flown to Manila Monday and given military honors and medals of merit at the base.</p><p>His parents said they have recovered from the initial shock and grief of learning that their son was killed in combat.</p><p>His mother Mercy said people around them and encouraging messages on social media have helped lift the family&#x27;s spirits.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/13/savellano-s-image1-2017.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">1st. Lt. Savellano&#x27;s parents, Mercy and Freddie remember their son&#x27;s life.</div></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>LAST TALK</strong></div><p>Mercy recalled her last conversation with her son, who she said never failed to keep in touch with her, even if he was in the middle of firefights. They last spoke by phone on the morning before the deadly battle.</p><p>&quot;I was so worried he had no contact with me for ten hours. But his girlfriend also tried contacting him and did. When I called him, he said &#x27;Mama, I&#x27;m okay, sige na, malo-lowbat na ako.&#x27; &#x27;Okay, ingat anak,&#x27; I said, and hung up,&quot; Mercy said.</p><p>Freddie said they had no foreboding their son would be gone. His battalion later called them that night and broke the news that he was gone.</p><p>It was a surprise to them, just as how they learned years ago that Jeff wanted to join the Marines and quit his Nursing course on his third year. </p><p>But Jeff still went on to finish college and pass the board exam.</p><p>&quot;Our agreement was that he would finish whatever he started, even if it meant starting all over again,&quot; Freddie said.</p><div><strong>&#x27;MAKULIT&#x27;</strong></div><p>Mercy described Jeff, her second child of four, as &quot;special.&quot;</p><p>&quot;He was &#x27;makulit&#x27;. If I got angry at him, he would not stop pestering me until I relented to him,&quot; she said.</p><p>Jeff&#x27;s family had asked for his casket to be moved to a separate chapel to accommodate their visitors. They said they were surprised with the turnout, especially from his friends and former school mates.</p><p>&quot;We heard people say that Jeff was an inspiration to them. One said he was happy Jeff became his friend since he helped change them by giving advice,&quot; Mercy said.</p><p>For the family, Jeff&#x27;s biggest contribution to the country was his stint with the Marines, to which he was entirely committed. It came to a point where his mother would get jealous of the time he was giving to his work.</p><p>Mercy&#x27;s only regret is that Jeff&#x27;s life was cut short.</p><p>&quot;He could have helped more people, he could have done more and passed his passion to younger Marines. I hope his life would be an inspiration to them,&quot; she said.</p><p>The slain Marine will be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City at the end of the week.</p>

<p>They remember him as a sweet and loving son. But they want the country to remember him as a committed soldier of honesty and integrity.</p><p> </p>

They remember him as a sweet and loving son. But they want the country to remember him as a committed soldier of honesty and integrity.

Fallen Marine's parents remember loving, 'makulit' son

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Fallen Marine's parents remember loving, 'makulit' son

Andrew Jonathan Bagaoisan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 13, 2017 08:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Marawi

Maute

Mindanao

Marine

John Frederick Savellano

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.