“Soldier, rest! Thy warfare o'er / Dream of fighting fields no more; Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking / Morn of toll, nor night of waking.” – Sir Walter Scott, The Lady of the Lake

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August 12, 2009 could be the bloodiest day yet in the Armed Forces’ campaign against the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as part of the risky quest to bring lasting peace in the southern Philippines.

On that day, twenty-three young, brave men’s service to the country was ended within hours of getting into a fierce battle with the extremists who have long been sowing terror in Mindanao. The military said between 30 and 40 bandits were also killed during the fight.

When the nearly day-long battle was over, 22 other soldiers and one policeman were wounded, their battle scars to forever remind them of the grim and brutal realities of war.

Twenty-three fallen, 23 wounded, and many more grieving over the death of their brothers-in-arms, all heroes who deserve recognition, salute and prayers as the nation observes National Heroes Day.

Killed on that fateful day were 1Lt. Dhell Jhun Evangelista, 1Lt. Chester Barela, and Cpl. Renato Dindin, all from the Special Operations Command (Socom); Staff Sergeants Nilo Yu, Roberto Gamboa, Aguido Casiano, Reynaldo Torejas, and Johnny Corpus; Sergeants Elmer Miranda, Ramon Encila Jr., and Randy Vacaro; Corporals Ronaldo Bayos, Rey Guaza, and Crisanto Simtim; Privates First Class Richie Estrada, Daryll Dave Toroy, and Ernie John Marquez; and Privates Jefferson Callao, Jomar Trompeta, Redentor Bactotoy, Elfie Igcalinos, Enrico Roxas, and Lemuel Dela Cruz – all from the Marines.

Wounded were Privates First Class Mark Anthony Arenas, Jordan Gumabay, Elirey Atilano, Nino Anthony Tanales, and Normal Sardonolilo; Corporals Ariel Porlares and Richard Anding; Staff Sergeants Garry Tolentino and Ramos Sabelina Jr; Sergeants Christopher Anino, Rey Rasquero, and Melchor Luna-an; PFC Joel Salle, Aldrin Bustillo, Cledon Joel Alano, Ramil Llano, Ramil Alvarado, Randy Libu-on, and Ramil Espinosa; Cpls. Renato Plazos and Emilio Sotelo; and Police Officer 2 Dennis Librado.

THE BATTLE

At about 3:47 a.m. on that fateful day, troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 10, the Army’s 3rd Light Reaction Company, 61st Force Reconnaissance Company, Force Reconnaissance Battalion, and Special Operations Platoon 10 launched an attack on a known enemy lair in Basilan province.

The soldiers’ primary objective was the terrorists’ nerve center – a training camp and improvised explosive manufacturing base – in Sitio Kurilem, Barangay Silangkum in the town of Tipo-Tipo.

As the attack commenced, the Army’s Light Reaction Unit ferociously engaged around 50 Abu Sayyaf terrorists believed to be under ASG leader Furuji Indama, and reportedly aided by Moro Islamic Liberation Front renegades.

In that attack, the military suffered heavy casualties. Two Air Force UH-1H helicopters flew in at around 5 a.m. to evacuate the wounded, but the attempt had to be aborted as the aircraft were met with heavy fire from the bandit group.

Air evacuation was successfully carried out only at 8:20 a.m. and 2:22 p.m., with the casualties flown to Zamboanga City.

At about 5:30 a.m. of the same day, Scout Rangers encountered another group of heavily armed ASG bandits and their MILF cohorts, numbering about 150, at Hill 440 in the vicinity of Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo. Fierce gun battle raged.

A HEROS’ TALE

“Press on the fight…”

These were the last words of 1Lt Evangelista before he succumbed to mortal wounds during that fateful day in Basilan. Evangelista was a promising young officer who graduated cum laude and was number 11 out of the 329 members of the Philippine Military Academy “Mandala” Class of 2006.

A report released by the AFP said the 4th Scout Ranger Company was the first in need of support at Hill 440 where they encountered more than 150 rebels. The 67th Marine Ranger Company (67MRC) was directed to reinforce the 4SRC.

Stumbling upon an enemy stronghold, the 67MRC was pinned down at the foot of the hill. Sensing the danger of their brothers in the battlefield, the Army’s 6SFC and 1LRC led by Evangelista came to reinforce the 67MRC who were under heavy enemy fire.

It was in this encounter where Evangelista was hit in the shoulder. Despite the wound, the young officer remained in control and continued to lead his men in a decisive and most significant engagement.

The 1LRC and 6SFC’s timely support resulted in 20 ASG members killed and 17 high-powered firearms recovered, the military said.

At the vigil honors held by the Army and the Marines for the soldiers who offered their lives that day, Evangelista’s leadership and feat were duly recognized. Had it not been for the successful support carried out by the 1LRC and 6SFC, the 67MRC would have suffered more dead, they said.

THE WOUNDED TELL THEIR STORY

38-year-old Staff Sergeant Tolentino of the Army’s LRU is not new to skirmishes in Basilan. He was first assigned to the province in early 2001, transferred to another assignment in Mindanao, then back to the province a day before the attack on the Abu Sayyaf lair in Tipo-Tipo.

Tolentino, who sustained a bullet wound in the left arm, said it was a booklet of Psalm 91 and a rosary given to him by one of his children – and which he kept in his pocket – that saved his life.

In an interview at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City where he is recuperating, Tolentino said their team was pulled out from an assignment in Sulu purposely to take part in the joint Tipo-Tipo operations.

He described the seized ASG camp as thickly vegetated and more of a village where families of the Abu Sayyaf also reside. He said the bandits’ wives and children were often used as human shield against the military.