On “Rethinking Marketing”

How do you usher in transformation in your organization? How do you adopt to changes within your group? How do you adapt your business to the environment, to the market? These were the questions I asked myself as I browsed through Roland Rust’s piece on “Spotlight to Reinvention: Rethinking Marketing”.

Reading Rust brought me back to my very own organization- the Philippine Army. In 2011, the Philippine Army embarked on an ambitious transformation program aptly dubbed the “Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR)”. The ATR is an 18-year transformation and governance program aimed at transforming the PA into a more professional, capable, responsive and dynamic organization that can effectively perform its mission and better serve the people. It was developed based on the Performance Governance System (PGS) which is a local adaptation of Harvard’s Balanced Scorecard framework. The Vision of this transformation- “By 2028, to become a world-class Army that is a source of national pride” sounds ambitious but its framers think it is attainable. Two of the strategic objectives espoused by this program are: “to develop and communicate a brand image consistent with the Army’s Core Values; and “to engage and partner with key stakeholders”. These objectives are being pursued through a set of strategic programs which are implemented and monitored through a performance governance scorecard.

Looking closely, how does the Philippine Army, a government entity market itself as a brand? What goods and services does it sell or provide? Who are its primary customers or stakeholders? How does it build, cultivate and nurture its relationship with its clients?

The PA’s serves its customers- the Filipino people with its products or major final output: the safety and security of the land. Before, only a handful knew of the relevance of the military especially its role in nation-building. Now, the PA serves as a catalyst of societal change and usher of community development. Through the ATR, the PA is now mastering stakeholder engagement which is undertaken through Civil- Military Operations (CMO) by soldiers who specifically cater to its customers. How does it work? CMO entails a coherent and systematic application of words and deeds- of messages and actions. Just like a Chief Customer Officer, CMO Operators look primarily into the welfare of its clients and continuously seek ways on how to serve them better. Both the government and the enemies of the state battle for the support of the people hence, gaining their hearts and minds is the key to long-term success. This is aptly captured by Rust’s Customer- Manager Driven relationship where building long-lasting relationship and customer welfare are given premium by the organization. This is a major turn-about for an organization that has long been accustomed to doing things by itself and without regards to its stakeholders. Now, the PA strives to strike a balance between mission accomplishment and the welfare of the people that it serves.

Almost seven years after ATR was introduced and adopted, the PA is now in full gear to pursue its own brand of transformation. The advent of information technology has made this journey more challenging and interesting at the same time. Like any organizational transformation initiatives, humps and bumps are expected along the way but the PA is more steadfast than ever to attain its goal. As Rust said, transformation is inevitable…and will soon be the only competitive way to serve customers.

Reflection: My Life as a Filipino Soldier 2

Sometime in November 2008, we received a shocking news. A security patrol somewhere south was waylaid by members of the New People's Army and several soldiers were killed. It was also reported that the patrol Team Leader was captured by the rebel- bandits and was being held in the jungles of Agusan- Compostela Valley area. We have been expecting to be deployed in the Basilan- Jolo area because at that time, there were also intense fighting between government troops and the terrorist Abu Sayaff Group and other lawless elements. A class of Scout Ranger Students have just been deployed ahead of us. Unfortunately, the C130 that shipped them and was supposed to lift us, crashed on its way back to Manila shortly after taking off. The remains of the plane and the bodies of the crew (some of them fellow Aer’s were buried deep in the belly of the sea. They served their country well.

We arrived at Davao Airport safely via another C130.  I was met by a familiar face- my squad mate Lt Jojo Baya who was then with the Philippine Air Force Special Operations Wing while waiting for his turn to undergo flying school training. He hastily prepared a sumptuous boodlefight of our favorite pancit canton and scrambled eggs for me and Omar, and invited one of our favorite yearlings- Matiti. (Sadly, Jojo died in a vehicular accident while he was enjoying a furlough in his hometown. He was confined at V Luna for a couple of weeks but eventually succumbed to his injuries. May God Bless his soul.)

From there, we went through several mission briefings and  planning sessions. Most of  us were new in the area and we were unfamiliar with the terrain. Mountains and jungles may look the same from afar but once you're inside them, they're altogether different. Mastery of the terrain is paramount to every operation and more often than not, it spells the difference in the outcome of a mission. Every good and seasoned soldier knows that there are several things that must be considered whenever planning for a mission. These are People, Weather, Enemy, Terrain which amusingly goes by the acronym PWET. We were told to always be conscious of your PWET. (In Tagalog, pwet refers to a person's behind). We also analyze the METTT-C or Mission, Enemy, Time, Terrain,Troops and Community. 

Whatever the acronyms are, these basically tell us to carefully take into consideration these factors when doing detailed mission analysis. We have to familiarize ourselves with the people's socio- cultural and socio-economic conditions. We have to factor in the political and legal aspects and of course, we have to consider their sentiments towards us and the enemy. People in rebel- influenced areas would usually behave with contempt and hostility against government forces while those with a lesser degree of influence would exhibit openness and warmth. There are also those areas that are considered rebel strongholds but whose people will give you warm treatment- sometimes even too warm and accommodating than normal because they're hiding or protecting the rebels. These are red flags that combat leaders must be able to read early or else the troops would be jeopardized. 

We didn't stay long in Davao City. As such I never got to roam around the fabled city that is home to Kadayawan Festival. We were immediately shuttled to our mission area by our trusty and rusty M35 trucks. The newer KM 250 and KM 450 troop carriers were not yet introduced that time. I'm sure we were all anxious and nervous heading towards known enemy lairs.. Some of us have already had prior experiences in combat while others were practically neophytes when it comes to actual combat operations especially those from the Police and the Air Force. Except for the occasional banter and usual jokes, we were all silent. Our voices drowned amidst the rumbling sound of the truck engines. I was silently praying in between short conversations. I was nervous as well. It was a test mission after all-our final test, the culmination of almost a year of training. Whether we graduate from the course or not entirely depended on us, or more precisely, whether we come out alive or not. So there I was, side by side with soldiers as anxious and at the same time as hungry for glory and as eager to graduate. I was confident I had the best training and I was thoroughly prepared. I was ready to face whoever and whatever kind of enemy would come our way. I promised myself I'll fight to the teeth should it come to such and I would never back down. I was clutching my beloved M16 rifle which I had fired hundreds of times before.. On my chest were 12 steel magazines fully loaded with 5.56mm rounds. My combat pack had all the necessary supplies I would need in the jungle for at least a week until the nest resupply-food, water, spare clothes, hammock and personal items. It weighed around 18-20 kilograms.I was ready. We were ready for action, for the hunt. When we neared the designated drop off point, my heart was beating so fast I could almost hear it. But I maintained my cool and calm. This was what I wanted. This was what I came for.

It was just beginning.

Recollection and Reflection: My Life as a Filipino Soldier

In 2008, I was one of a select few soldiers who tried their luck in the Special Forces Operations Course. I can't remember how many of us started the course and how many actually graduated. I recall there were more than a hundred of us who volunteered to undergo the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) as a prerequisite to join the SFOC. SFAS was a month- long program which consisted of several activities to determine whether a prospective candidate is physically and mentally suited to undergo a rigorous ten- month training. We were tested in advance day and night map reading and land navigation, long foot marches with 45-pound ruck sacks and full battle gear, individual and team activities and of course, the physical fitness tests. Unlike regular PFTs that soldiers undergo which consist of only three events-3.2-km run, push up and sit up, those who undergo specialized trainings such as the scout ranger course and SF Operations Course have to pass other events such as pull ups, inverted crawl, sit and reach and standing long jump. After a month, only about 80% of those who volunteered qualified for the regular Course.. Others were just too tired or burnt out to battle ten more months of hardship.

The regular course started with the traditional reception which of course is not a lunch or dinner of sumptuous food and drinks but a day- long serving of army dozens, road runs, log rolls, helicopters, Indian bows and many others which would definitely bring out the best and worst in a student/trainee. Our reception started at about one o’clock of a hot summer afternoon of 2008. Every trainee- whether an officer or enlisted personnel goes through the reception which formally signals the start of the training. As this is an anticipated activity, each soldier prepares himself physically and mentally to last and remain standing at the end of the day otherwise he would blow his chance of getting the much coveted SF TAB. 

I've had several receptions as a soldier. The first was when we were received as plebes or first year cadets of the PMA in 2002. The next was during our Scout Ranger Orientation Course in 2004 at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan. Another one came during our basic officer course. The degree of difficulty of a reception actually varies depending on the course or training you take but one thing is sure. You can never be too prepared for any reception day. It always ends with your tongue out of your mouth- gasping for breath and thinking why the hell were you there in the first place. And there's also the reception given when a soldier reports to his new assignment or unit which is often the most memorable.

I guess during that time all of us were really determined to hurdle the course. I don't recall anybody washing out during the first day. After that, our journey as members of SFOC Class 118- 08 officially begun. This means that we were the 118th batch since the Special Forces started training soldiers as part of this elite organization.. 08 is short for 2008, the year that the course was held. 

To be continued…

Dearest Ruth Carmela Zamielle

16 July 2013

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

This is a Chinese adage that I have learned years back. Until now, it reminds me of the many steps- both big and small, that I have to take whenever I want to achieve something. Indeed, each journey begins with a single step. After you have made your first step, you can (now) decide whether to continue with small steps, take a stride or leap forward. Many times I have taken small steps when I should have made bigger ones. And there were instances too, when I took bold steps when I should have chosen small ones. Indeed experience is the best teacher. It will teach you when to hurry up or when to slow down a bit to catch your breath; when to break into a run or just calm down and proceed cautiously.

I am giving you a pair of slippers on your 2^nd Birthday because by now, you have learned to walk on your own feet. How beautiful it is for your Mom and I to watch you stand up and walk by yourself. It pains us to see you fall sometime but we must accept that it is part of growing up, of exploring the world. You will soon break free from our hands and choose to spread your arms like wings. You will soon discover that you can do greater things when you are free, when nobody is holding you, when no one is restraining your every move. But we do hope that as you discover both the little and big steps that you can do, you will always look back to where you came from- from the loving hands of Mommy and Daddy, and all those people who love you and care for you a lot.

Go my baby…our princess. Take those steps. Walk. Run. Fly. Have fun. Don’t be afraid. Always remember that we are always here for you. When you seem lost in your way, “when the road your trudging seems all uphill”, when darkness is everywhere, remember that you can always look back and run to us because we will be there always waiting for you. When you are happy, making the best out of life, enjoying every second of it, GO ON. We will be happy for you. We will always pray for your safety, for your happiness, for your success.

I hope that the pair slippers will always remind you of that Chinese adage. When you’re in a hurry with life, slow down and take a deep breath. Take time to enjoy the beauty of those around you, smell the flowers, enjoy the sun, and count your blessings. Strive to be happy.

You are our dearest child, and forever you’ll be. We love you very much.

Love,

Daddy

Pangamoyo para sa Pungsod nga Mahidaiton (Prayer for a Peaceful Nation)*

 

 

O Ginoong Dios, bilang imo mga katawhan diri sa pungsod Pilipinas, hilabi na guid bilang pomoloyo sang Negros Occidental, madugay-dugay na guid man kami nga nagasakripisyo kag naga-antos tungod sang amon mga konplikto kag pag-ilinaway. Amon nahibaloan, nga ini dulot man sang amon kakulangan sa pag-intindihanay sa tagsa-tagsa, pagtamdanay, pagbinuligay, kag kon kinahanglanon mag sakripisyo para sa ikaayo sang amon isig-katawo – ang pag-halad sang amon ikasarang sa mga kubos, agud sila man makatindog sa ila kaugalingon nga ikasarang, kag mangin responsable nga pomoloyo, una sa ila pamilya, ikaduha sa kumonidad kag banwa, kag ikatatlo sa punsod pilipinas kag sa tanan nga katawhan, pati na ang aton kapalibutan. May-ikasarang man, manggaranon o kubos man, amon ginapangamoyo nga indi guid kami magbulag sa imo.
 
O Hesukristo, hasta subong, may mga kautoran pa kami nga masami nga nagaka-apektohan sa matag adlaw sang insiguridad, inhustisya, kimagamo, kag pagpamahug, apang naga pabilin sila nga nagahipos kag wala sang mahimo, kulang sa ihibalo magpatikang kag magpaalington sang ila mga mensahe para maagom nila ang matuod nga paghidaet sa komunidad. O Ginoong Dios, ginaampo namon sila sa imo.
Subong man, sa mga alagad sang gobyerno, binoto man o gin-apuentar sa puesto, amon ginapangamoyo nga sila upod sa amon sa sector sang seguridad, kami padayon o magaserbisyo base sa amon gugma kag kabalaka nga ining mga pomoloyo nga apektado sang kakahas, o bayolente nga pama-agi nga kon sa diin nagakabayolar ang ila kinamatarong. O Hesukristo, ubayan mo kami.

Dios sang hustisya kag kalinong, kabay nga ang mga programa sang gobyerno, para nga mangin isa sila ka tunay nga “Whole-of-Nation Approach”, pagaupdan sya sang mga non-government and civil society organizations, sang tanan-tanan, sa pagpatuman sang mga social development and public safety programs. Kabay nga ini nga mga programa makasentro guid sa matuod nga mga kinahanlanon sang pomoloyo, pigado man o may-ikasarang.   Kabay pa, nga ang mga pomoloyo nga lubos nga naapiktohan sang madamo na nga dikada sang insurhensiya diri sa Pilipinas, malikaw sila sa katalagman kag magpangabuhi nga hilway, malinong kag hamungaya.

Paagi sa mga tawhanon kag dyosnon nga mga programa, ang bug- os nga army sa negros naga pangamoyo gid nga ini makalab-ot sa mga kasing-kasing sang aton mga kautran nga padayon nga nagatugpo sang armadong paghimakas o nagakapot sang armas-palopok. Kabay nga ila  maintindihan kag mag-upod na sila sa amon advocasiya para rekonsiliasyon, pag-ulupdanay, kag maayo nga pang-gobierno.

Ini tanan, amon ginapangamoyo, sa ngalan ni Hesukristo, nga amon Ginoo, ang Principe sang Paghidaet.

Amen.

*Prayer delivered by Col Jon Aying of 303rd Brigade at a prayer rally in Bacolod City last November 30, 2014

The Church–Military and Police Advisory Group—Negros (CMPAG-N): Building Bridges for Peace for Negrenses 1

            

            

On 04 March 2008, a landmark agreement between the Catholic Church and the Armed and the Forces of the Philippines was signed by both parties in Bacolod City. Top leaders and officials of the church and the AFP in the Visayas gathered at the Bishop’s Palace in Bacolod City to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which subsequently formed the Church–Military Advisory Group—Negros (CMAG-N). The church was represented by the four dioceses in Negros Island, namely, the Diocese of Bacolod, Diocese of Kabankalan, Diocese of San Carlos, and Diocese of Dumaguete. On the other hand, the AFP was represented by then Commander of the 303^rd Brigade, Col. Honorato S. Delos Reyes. The MOU was signed in the presence of Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, D.D., the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines; Most Rev. Leopoldo S. Tumulak, D.D., of the Bishop Military Ordinariate of the Philippines; Maj. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado of the Central Command; and Maj. Gen. Juvenal Narcise of the 3^rd Infantry Division. Four years later, on 18 October 2012, the Philippine National Police represented by the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental Police Provincial Offices, was formally accepted as part of the group. CMAG-N would then become known as the Church, Military and Police Advisory Group- Negros or CMPAG-N.

Tracing the roots

CMAG-N was borne out of the collective desire of the leadership of the church and the military to help achieve peace, security, and development in Negros Island. During the height of the insurgency problem in Negros Island in the 1980s, an invisible “wedge” was said to have existed between the Catholic Church and the AFP (which then included the defunct Philippine Constabulary). The tumultuous years of the Martial Law was said to have been the main driving force behind the perceived mutual mistrust between these two sectors, which naturally resulted in lukewarm working relationships. Although only a few members of the Church and other religious sects were actively involved in the underground movement of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), it was generally branded as “left-leaning”, or worse, as communist fronts. On the other hand, the religious sector also labeled the military as fascists, human rights abusers, and even puppets of politicians and private individuals. Naturally, this kind of labeling or tagging from both sides strained the already volatile relationship between the two, which lasted for many years. Hence, even though they have the same goal of bringing peace and sustainable development to the people of Negros, the church and the military seemed to have gone separate ways, virtually ignoring the wedge lodged between them.

 The Church–Military Liaison Committee

It took a while before key military and church officials in the island started reaching out to each other. The series of talks or engagements between them resulted to the formation of the Church–Military Liaison Committee (CMLC) during the late 1980’s. Although no formal agreements were established, the CMLC then regularly held meetings and dialogues to iron out issues and concerns affecting or involving the military, the Church, and the general public. The committee has become an effective venue or forum for discussing and addressing contemporary social issues, and eventually paved the way toward the enhancement of the relationship between the two sectors. Soon enough, the committee attracted more participants from both sides, and dialogues and other similar activities were also conducted more frequently.

         The CMLC would soon find itself on the brink of extinction again during the early ‘90s when insurgency in the island subsided. Most of the Army units stationed in Negros left for Mindanao to help contain the threat posed by the secessionist groups thereat; hence, the meetings and engagements became less frequent.  

        

The CMLC would soon be revived with the assumption of then Colonel Ibrado (who later became AFP Chief of Staff) as Commanding Officer of the 303^rd Infantry Brigade. As the highest-ranking military commander in Negros that time, he actively sought the restoration of the CMLC by designating the late Maj. Nelson L. Gerona, who was then the Brigade’s Civil-Military Operations Officer, as the military’s liaison with the church. Major Gerona re-established and strengthened the partnership and coordination between the two sectors, particularly with the Social Action Center (SAC) of the Diocese of Bacolod. Dialogues and meetings were held frequently again as the two sectors jointly addressed the social issues prevalent in the island during that period. However, the untimely demise of Major Gerona once again slowed down the progress of the newly revived CMLC, as no officer was immediately designated to perform his role.

         In 2007, the CMLC would have another milestone in its history, with the assumption of then Maj Gen Jovenal C. Narcise as the Commander of the Army’s 3^rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division. Major General Narcise, and Brig Gen Gregorio Fajardo, then the 303^rd Brigade Commander, opened up the idea of formally reviving the CMLC to Bishop Vicente M. Navarra, D.D., at the Bishop’s House in Bacolod City last 02 April 2007. Brigadier General Fajardo lost no time renewing contacts with the church through the Civil–Military Operations Task Unit—Negros, which was under the supervision of the Brigade.

         The first of many exploratory meetings was held at the Bishop’s Palace on 27 April 2007, which coincided with the death anniversary of Rev. Fr. Niall O’Brien, the founder of Pax Christi—Pilipinas. Father O’Brien is said to be the pioneer of the advocacy for “active non-violence” as a means of attaining peace in Negros. This was followed by a series of formal meetings among representatives from the four dioceses in Negros — the dioceses of Bacolod, Kabankalan, San Carlos, and Dumaguete — and key Army commanders in the island. It was facilitated by Bro. Jack Pamine of Pax Christi—Negros, and Atty. Francisco Cruz, the legal adviser of the Diocese of Bacolod. From then on, regular monthly meetings were held every third Thursday of the month.

The birth of the CMAG-N

         Upon the recommendation of then Lt. Col. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, then Commanding Officer of 11^th IB, CMLC would soon be christened the Church–Military Advisory Group—Negros (CMAG-N). This was after representatives from both sectors concluded that the lack of a written agreement containing the common vision and objectives of the committee was behind the failure of the CMLC to sustain its activities. As an advisory group, the representatives saw the need for an MOU that would serve as the basis for their joint undertakings. This was unanimously agreed upon by the church and the military leadership in Negros, and soon enough, the MOU was signed on 04 March 2008.

            According to the CMAG-N MOU, both the military and the church have a collective vision to promote and respect human dignity and achieve sustained peace and development in Negros. Both parties recognize the need to foster a harmonious relationship and cooperation, along with the necessity to maintain an open line of communication between them. The CMAG-N shall serve as a body in resolving issues or conflicts in achieving a harmonious and proactive relationship and cooperation between the parties. It was to be composed of the SAC Directors of the four dioceses and the Civil Military Operations Task Unit–Negros (CMOTU-N).[1]

         Upon its establishment in 2008, CMAG-N released a statement, as follows:

“…the CMAG-N…envisions a harmonious relationship among its members and spontaneous response to issues and concerns that call for mutual cooperation, deep understanding and objectivity. Anchored on the principle that respect for life and human dignity is the uncompromising foundation for peace and development, CMAG-N is laying down the cornerstone of brotherhood not just between the Church and Military but more so among the communities in Negros. The body believes that the conflicts can be resolved through pro-active, discerning, honest, and sincere initiatives. CMAG-N is taking on the task of bringing together the compassion of the Church for the people and the supportive presence of those in the Military to facilitate a greater understanding of everyone’s common goal – a progressive, peaceful, and economically independent Negros Island. It is the common vision of all those involved in the CMAG-N that all Negrenses will be given an equal share of opportunities and the chance to be listened to without prejudice.”[2]

            Since then, the CMAG-N convened regularly (every third Thursday of the month) to discuss prevailing issues related to the church and the military. Significant matters were resolved through the active participation of church leaders and military commanders. The military and police would regularly present updates regarding operational matters, while the church would tackle the social and spiritual development aspects. As the partnership became stronger, the group also began inviting representatives of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Aglipayan) and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP participation

Representatives of the PNP began joining the regular group meetings on 21 May 2009. In September 2010, both the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental Provincial Police Offices (NOPPO and NORPPO) formally expressed their desire to be a part of the group, which was subsequently approved by the body. With the entrance of the PNP, CMAG-N became Church–Military and Police Advisory Group—Negros (CMPAG-N), effective 18 October 2012.  The new group committed to actively work on the concretization of the following principles enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, along with the Catholic Church’s mission:

(i)    “The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.”

(Article II, Section 5)

(ii)  “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state.  Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.”

(Article II, Section 3)

(iii) “The Church’s mission is to proclaim good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year in the Lord’s favor.”

With an expanded constituency, the group came up with the declaration below:

1)            THAT we with the people of Negros shall work for an honest, orderly and peaceful election and shall intelligently select leaders who can provide good governance that we need in these crucial times as the outcome of the elections will affect the future of the Negrenses and the entire country as well;

2)            THAT we shall vigorously support the effective implementation of agrarian reform as part of social justice; and,

3)            THAT to win the peace in Negros, the Military and Police shall continue to address security threats and challenges working collaboratively with the other stakeholders: the government, non-government and other sectors led by the Church, who shall work hand-in-hand to address the spiritual, social, economic and political dimensions to bring the long-overdue development in the countryside.

The declaration further said that the church, military, and police must dedicate themselves to the attainment of these objectives “for our people to enjoy a life without fear, a choice without force, an act that promotes freedom, justice and equality for all”.[3]

---

[1] Lifted from the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 04 March 2008

[2] Lifted from the Joint Press Statement of the CMAG-N during the signing of the MOU on 04 March 2008

[3] Lifted from the CMPAG–N COMMUNIQUÉ, jointly signed in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, on 04 April 2014 by the different bishops of the dioceses in Negros Island, PNP, and AFP Commanders led by Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista (AFP)

The Story of 2Lt. Jun Corpuz, PMA’14

Last November 2, 2014, another Cavalier perished in the continuing war against terror- against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. 2Lt. Jun Corpuz, 22, died very young- too early even for us who have been prepared and continuously told that soldiers do get killed in the battlefield. He just graduated from the PMA last March placing 13th among the 222-strong Class of 2014. 

Although I am a soldier, I am still shocked and saddened whenever I read or receive news of soldiers being killed in combat. They say it’s “all in a day’s work” but I think I would never really get used to it. Death is even more painful if it comes to someone whom you know, you care about or love. I did not personally know Lieutenant Corpuz. I have never met him but his life’s story is basically the story of many members of the Long Gray Line. 

Basilan's hero: Fresh PMA grad dies in Abu Sayyaf hands

(By Carmela Fonbuena; Published 9:28 PM, Nov 03, 2014; Updated 9:38 PM, Nov 04, 2014 http://www.rappler.com/nation/73900-fresh-pma-grad-dies)

MANILA, Philippines – It was only in March when 222 members of Philippine Military Academy "Siklab Diwa" Class of 2014 were throwing their graduation caps to celebrate the completion of their 4-year military courses. It was a moment when the class seemed oblivious to the controversy that gripped the nation back then – the dismissal of their classmate Cadet Jeff Cudia.

Seven months later, the class suffered its first loss. Second Lieutenant Jun Corpuz, 22, died on Sunday, November 2, in a clash with Abu Sayyaf in war-weary Sumisip, Basilan. (READ: Junior officer, 5 soldiers, killed in Basilan clash)

Soldiers die in battle all the time. But Corpuz was too young. He won't make it to his first alumni homecoming in February 2015. He's never even had a girlfriend, according to his mother Elizabeth.

“I thought I poured out all my tears yesterday. He was a good boy. He was never a headache. I will not forget him,” an emotional Elizabeth told Rappler in Ilocano on Monday, November 3.Jun was very close to his parents, who live in Bacnotan town in La Union. He spoke with them several times a day, thanks to the unlimited call promos by the networks. It was the birthday of his father Crecensio just last week, October 27, and Jun sent him a cash gift of P2, 000.

He always told his parents not to worry about him. "Mas tahimik sa Basilan kaysa sa Sulu (It's more peaceful in Basilan than in Sulu)," Elizabeth recalled Jun telling them.

He also spoke with them an hour before the 7:30 am attack on Sunday. It was a typical call. She was having her coffee and she was making sure that Jun had breakfast. She would learn about her son's death early in the afternoon.

Jun was a platoon leader of Alpha Company, 64th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. It was his first assignment. And 5 of his men also died:

·         Sergeant Tranquilino Germo of Aleosan, Cotabato

·         Private First Class Rolando Entera Jr of Aleosan, Cotabato

·         Private First Class Freddie Pandoy of Aleosan, Cotabato

·         Private First Class Raffy Canuto of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat

·         Private First Class Mark Anthony Singson of Pigkawan, North Cotabato

Lieutenant Corpuz’s death reminds me of another Jun who fell in the Basilan-Sulu battlefield. In my previous articles (Last Taps: Remembering the Mandala Heroes), I wrote about my very own classmate 1Lt. Dhel Jun Evangelista who perished on August 12, 2009 in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan after a gallant stand against extremist rebels. The most recent (and I certainly hope the last) casualty the Class 2006 had was Cpt. Mark Gamboa who heroically died last September (See For Mark G.) in Lantawan, Basilan. Dulan Cordero, Roldan Samera, Eugene Pinera and Ermin Soloren also sacrificed their own lives for this cause. Other classes have had their own ‘share’ in the continuing conflict in that part of the country but I think the Mandalans have given the most number of young men there. Six Killed In Action. Some were lucky enough to have cheated death but were left with lasting marks on their bodies. Some were even luckier to have escaped unscathed. And some are still out there slugging it out with the bandits. While some of us are already doing desk jobs and pushing papers, some are still leading at the forefronts and pressing it on. They belong to those whom we really look up to. They know who they are.

The Army's history is replete with these kinds of stories. I was also a 2^nd Lieutenant in 2008 when I almost became just another ‘lesson learned’. A wayward bullet pierced my left arm and exited through the left side of my body narrowly missing my rib cage. A six-month confinement in the hospital temporarily took me out of the field but it didn’t bring back my original arm. The injury was so severe it cut both my ulnar and median nerves. Even the best nerve doctor was not able to put it back to its old form. Among many other things, I guess I will never be able to do pull-ups and rope-climb again. Lucky me, I am not a leftie. 

I’ve seen worse. I’ve seen and heard soldiers crying in pain that’s why I have never felt sorry for myself. I have never felt any anger towards whoever fired the lucky shot that almost killed me. Curiously, I’ve never even hated the rebels. I guess we were just on the different sides of the fence, fighting against each other in the name of our respective causes. We were both willing to die for our cause only that the guy who got me was quicker. Was I at the wrong place and at the wrong time during that instant? 

My only lamentation was that we were both brown-skinned. I am sure both of us also spoke Filipino or Tagalog. We were both Filipinos for God’s sake. We both live (or lived, if he's dead) in the Philippines.  But I think that’s just how it is. They broke the law of the land. Break the law and its long arms will go after you, at all cost.

I wish though that their bravery would be put into good use- in some other ways, in some other arenas. But certainly not against fellow Filipinos.

The scars that soldiers take back home with them from the battlefield are not only physical. Some of us suffer wounds not even the best doctors can heal- wounds invisible to the naked eye but not to a perceptive heart. Some have both physical and psychological wounds. Some are eventually healed but some are just too deep to reach, to severe to cure.

It is not only soldiers who suffer these wounds. Their families are sometimes left with greater pain and anguish. There is no sadder picture than a mother clutching a photo of his fallen son or daughter, or a father hugging the flag-draped coffin, a wife sobbing with her innocent children, a brother or sister who’s lost a sibling, a child who’s lost a father. 

When a wounded soldier lies on a hospital bed, nobody can give the best of care to him but his family. Not even the best nurses can give the most comforting touch a mother, a wife or a daughter can give. No amount of therapy can ever equal the words of a father telling his son “don’t give up, kaya mo yan”.

Jun’s family lost him too soon. He wanted to fulfill his dreams for them. He wanted to be the fulfillment of their dreams. But he already was. He already is. He has made his family prouder with his heroic death. Amidst the chaotic world that we live in, amidst the controversies our country is presently embroiled with, Jun and his soldiers proved that we can all be heroes in our own small or big ways, that we can all do our part in making this country peaceful and free. 

Indeed, they have done their part. And they did it the best way they can.