TUBA, Benguet -- The family of Police Senior Master Sergeant Joe Michael Ananayo Langbis, 38, who died in the twin explosion in Jolo, Sulu on August 24, wants his remains to be brought back home.
During a ceremonial burial held over the weekend, Langbis's mother, Susan, thanked the family and relatives, officials, and members of the men in uniform, including personnel of 143 Special Action Companies (SAC), Special Action Battalion (SAB), Philippine National Police (PNP)-Special Action Force (SAF), Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, and Tuba Municipal Police Station.
Also present during the ceremonial burial was Langbis's wife, 13-year-old daughter, relatives, Benguet officials, and fellow men in the service.
Langbis's clothes and blanket were placed in a white casket along the Philippine flag.
"I pray for the peace of the nation. This is very painful especially that we didn't see him for a very long time before he was buried (in Mindanao)," Susan said.
Langbis was remembered by family and relatives as a hero.
Military honors were accorded in Ampusa, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet by the men of the 143 SAC, SAB, PNP-SAF.
The remains of Langbis were immediately buried in Mindanao following Muslim tradition as the slain Cordilleran converted to Islam.
The Philippine flag was turned over by Police Captain Boni Dulag, officer-in-charge of 143 SAC, 14 SAB, PNP-SAF and said the flag symbolizes the heroism of the ultimate sacrifice of Langbis in his service to the nation.
Langbis had been in service for more than a decade and it has been more than three years since he has come home in the highlands.
On August 24, two successive explosions occurred in Jolo, Sulu and claimed the lives of 14 soldiers, a policeman, and civilians. The blasts also wounded over a dozen people.