Army Recognizes its New Breed of Heroes
FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – As the
whole Filipino nation celebrates the 148th birth anniversary of Gat
Andres Bonifacio on November 30, the Philippine Army also recognizes the
heroism of each soldier, both in war fighting and in winning the peace.
The act of courage and bravery displayed
by Filipino soldiers in combat, and their selfless service to the
citizens through the conduct humanitarian missions and rescue operations
during disasters, are manifestations that the flame of heroism is
burning and alive.
Using its new campaign strategy named
IPSP "Bayanihan", new breed of heroes emerge as the soldiers perform
their duties in the service to the nation. Some of them were heroes in
combat while some were idolized for their peace and development
missions.
Tales of Heroism in Al-Barka
On October 18, 2011, before the break of
dawn, a platoon of Army soldiers conducted a law enforcement operations
in Al-Barka, Basilan to arrest Abu Sayyaf bandit Long Malat who was
sighted in a village about 4km from the MILF community of Baguindan
village.
Unfortunately, hundreds of MILF rebels
led by Hadji Dan Laksaw Asnawi, reinforced the group of Malat.
The troops courageously fought the
overwhelming enemy force despite the heavy casualties it incurred early
on. As the fight dragged on for hours, the soldiers suffered heavy
casualties.
The officers decided to retrieve the
wounded towards safer areas. To do so, some soldiers volunteered to
remain and press the fight to delay the enemy’s advance.
The survivors of this incident praised
the conspicuous courage and self-sacrifice made by a Scout Ranger and
sniper, Corporal Roberto Ricafranca.
Seeing that they swarmed by hundreds of
rebels, Ricafranca directed his companions to retreat towards safer
areas with the other wounded including his cousin, Pfc Alex Ricafranca.
"We were overwhelmed by the enemy's
counterattack from all directions. Roberto (Corporal Ricafranca), a
topgun in his Scout Sniper class, opted to remain and provided covering
fires as we gradually inch our way towards the rear," said Alex.
He also mentioned the bravery of another
Scout Ranger, Pfc Jordan Magno, who continuously returned to the most
forward positions to collect the casualties. He was reminded of the
scene in the movie “Forrest Gump”.
“Jordan was not wounded the last time I
saw him. He kept on returning to the encounter site amidst the volley of
fires to save the remaining comrades. He lived up to the Ranger motto: ‘Walang
iwanan (leave no one behind),” he said, tears welling in his eyes.
New Breed of Valorous Soldiers
Staff Sergeant Ramon Sabellina Jr of the
4th Scout Ranger Company is also among those who have exemplified
courage and heroism in the performance of his duties.
He was adjudged as the Best Enlisted
Personnel of the year during the commemoration of the 61st Founding
Anniversary of the First Scout Ranger Regiment last November 25.
Sabellina was recommended for the award
of the Medal for Valor for displaying his exemplary acts of courage and
indomitable spirit in a fierce encounter with 30 fully armed rebels in
Cateel town in Davao Oriental on August 12, 2011.
He braved the voluminous enemy fires to
outflank the communist rebels who were positioned in fortified bunkers
and running trenches when some of his men were pinned down in a
disadvantageous position.
Through his courage and outstanding
leadership, Sabellina motivated his men to emerge as victors without
incurring casualties among them. The encounter resulted to the numerous
casualties on the enemy side and the recovery of 15 high-powered
firearms.
In this classic encounter, Sabellina was
also praised for respecting the rights of the captured bandits. Video
grab from a local TV network in Davao showed that the Scout Rangers
treated the three wounded rebels including female fighters Lyka Navarro
and Michelle Duque.
Seeing the humane treatment of the
captured rebels, 15 more rebels surrendered to the Army the following
day. It led to the dismantling of the local CPP-NPA-NDF armed group in
that province.
Peace and Development Heroes
Army soldiers not only die in wars, but
also while conducting peace and humanitarian missions.
“Our soldiers who are in non-combat
missions have been victims of ambushes carried out by the New People’s
Army rebels. They died while providing basic services to their
fellowmen,” said Major Harold M Cabunoc, Acting Army Spokesperson.
Second Lieutenant Giorgeo Tiago and
Private First Class Genesis Broso are examples of soldiers who have
dedicated their lives for the welfare of others.
A medical mission was being conducted by
the 901st Infantry Brigade on November 6, 2011 at Daraga, Albay when 15
NPA rebels fired upon the medical team.
Broso was fortunate enough to survive
the ambush but Tiago succumbed to death.
In a similar circumstance, Corporal
Jeffrey delos Santos and Private First Class Micholle Alipio, both
belonging to the 1st Medical Platoon of the 501st Infantry Brigade of
the 5th Infantry Division have also shown altruism for others.
While providing medical services to the
villagers of Brgy Dao-angan, Balbalan, Kalinga, they were ambushed by
the New People’s Army rebels.
All these soldiers were on humanitarian
missions that aim to uplift the living conditions of the people by
providing with the basic services.
Addressing the Root Cause of the Problem
In line with the Internal Peace and
Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, the AFP started to adopt non-traditional
approach in ending the country’s decades-old insurgency, recognizing
that insurgency cannot be solved through military action alone, but more
importantly through peace and development initiatives in partnership
with other stakeholders, producing another set of heroes.
The new emerging heroes are not using
their guns but their hammer, shovel and bulldozers. They are the
soldiers who build schools, roads and health centers.
The National Development Support Command
of the AFP in collaboration with the different units of the Philippine
Army have been in the forefront of carrying out the precepts of IPSP
Bayanihan.
The Bayanihan Program of NADESCOM has
built 15 two-classroom buildings complete with facilities through
private sector partnership; among these were the newly-constructed
school buildings in Malamawi and Maluso in Basilan province.
Other community development projects
initiated by the AFP and the Philippine Army include the construction of
roads, noteworthy to mention is the Basilan Circumferential Road; and
the conduct of medical and dental missions in the different parts of the
country, particularly in the far-flung communities.
It can be recalled that Army Chief Major
General Emmanuel T Bautista, in his Assumption Speech emphasized that he
will continuously pursue the Army Transformation Roadmap and the IPSP
Bayanihan.
“We will continue to help other agencies
who will be in the forefront in addressing peace and security concerns
for us to be able to move forward as a nation,” said Bautista.
Bautista also emphasized that the
soldiers continue to perform their mandate of protecting the people and
the communities. In a speech before the Scout Rangers during the 61st
Founding Anniversary of the First Scout Ranger Regiment on Nov 25, he
reminded the soldiers their roles as protectors of the communities.
“While we want to win the peace, we will
continue to perform our job in securing vital installations and the
communities that we serve. To those who insist to use the force of arms
and remain as threats to our peace-loving citizens, we will apply the
legitimate force. This is where the services of the Scout Rangers are
needed,” said Bautista.
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