Bodies of 8 Marines killed in Marawi clash head to Metro Manila

As the crisis in Marawi City marks its 20th day, eight of the 13 Marines killed during Friday's clashes with the Maute group are going home in metal caskets covered with the Philippine flag.

A report by GMA News' Saleema Refran on Balitanghali on Monday said the caskets headed to Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, leaving Iligan City around 10 a.m. on board four military trucks.

8 labi ng Marines na nasawi sa Marawi, patungo na Laguindingan Airport para ilipad pa-Maynila. pic.twitter.com/WzTIaZp0k5

— Saleema Refran (@saleema_refran) June 11, 2017

At the airport, military honors were bestowed on the slain soldiers before their remains left on the flight to Metro Manila.

The report said the process of embalming the bodies took long due to the intensity of wounds sustained from rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices from the Maute group.

Meanwhile, one of the slain soldiers will be left to his family in Cagayan de Oro City, two bodies will be flown to Zamboanga City, while another will be transported to General Santos City.

At least 40 other soldiers were wounded in the 16-hour clash between government troops and Maute group members in Barangay Lilod Madaya on Friday.

Among the fatalities set to arrive at the Villamor Air Base on Sunday afternoon include 1st Lt. Frederick Savellano, commander of the 37th Marine Company, the same group that discovered the P52 million in cash and P17 million worth of checks from a Maute group hideout in Barangay Mapandi earlier this week.

Labi ni 1LT Savellano at 7 iba pang Marines na nasawi sa bakbakan sa Marawi, ililipad pa-Maynila ngayong hapon. pic.twitter.com/rBA6KRtUtp

— Saleema Refran (@saleema_refran) June 11, 2017

The military said Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, the reported emir of ISIS in the Philippines, and foreign terrorists could be holed up somewhere in Barangay Lilod Madaya where the 13 Marines were killed.

A "Day of Silence and Prayer" will be observed by the Armed Forces in honor of the fallen soldiers.  — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BM, GMA News