MEDAL FOR VALOR AWARDEES

FIRST LIEUTENANT HILARIO A ESTRELLA

Zamboanga Del Sur- 01 December 1984

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond the call of duty during a pre- dawn raid by about 200 heavily armed terrorist on Bubuan Detachment at the vicinity of Barangay Bubuan, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, on 1 December 1984, while serving as Detachment Commander of "C" Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, First Infantry (TABAK) Division, Philippine Army.

The enemy launched a surprise attack by unleashing heavy volume of fires from high- powered firearms and grenade launchers into the two separate positions of the troops. Immediately, all the elements of the 32-man detachment took position and engaged the raiders in a fierce gun battle. After assessing the situation, FIRST LIEUTENANT ESTRELLA instructed his men to conserve their ammunition and ordered them to hold their grounds at all costs. Amidst hail of bullets and explosions of grenade battering their positions, he moved from one place to another, with blood oozing from his wounds, shouting orders and encouraging his men to carry on their fight. When their M60 machine gun malfunctioned, he put it into operation, manned it himself and engaged the enemy. Having ten of his men already killed and several others wounded, he stood his ground. The attackers subjected the detachment with all kinds of offensive tactics and taunted them to surrender. Unfazed, FIRST LIEUTENANT ESTRELLA rallied his men and the fierce fire-fight lasted for seven hours until the terrorist withdrew. At the scene of encounter, they recovered 22 bodies of dead terrorists including 3 commanders, 12 high powered firearms, assorted ammunition and subversive documents.

By this exceptional gallantry, FIRST LIEUTENANT ESTRELLA distinguished himself in combat, in keeping with the finest tradition of Filipino Soldiery.