DAVAO CITY - Five-year-old Polee crafted a hand-made card for her dad as a gift on Fathers' Day.

"Happy Father's day, Daddy. I love you. Thank you sa pag love ug pagsakripisyo Daddy. Love, Polee," her card, adorned with a heart and a drawing of a father and a daughter, read.

But Polee's dad, PFC Brian Buggay, came back to their home in Camarines Norte inside a casket days after Father's Day.

He died during Father's Day, his comrades said.

Buggay was among the members of 71st Infantry Batallion who were killed in an encounter with New People's Army rebels in Maco, Compostella Valley last Sunday.

Despite her grief, Buggay's wife, Jonna May, said she is proud that her husband died in service of the nation.

"Iyong asawa ko po is sobrang bait, concerned, charitable, marespeto," Jonna May said.

"Kahit namatay po iyong asawa ko, at least alam kong nasa mabuting kalagayan siya, nasa Panginoon. At least nakatulong po siya sa bayan natin," she added.

The government said monetary support will be provided for Jonna May and Polee, as well as other families of soldiers who were either killed or wounded in action.

Skirmishes between Buggay's comrades and rebels have yet to conclude as the military continues to scour the city's outskirts to apprehend the communist group.