Inquirer Visayas
The day they buried Angel Benitez
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 23:26:00 09/12/2008
Filed Under: Regional authorities, Armed conflict, The Southern Campaign
ILOILO CITY – As promised by his wife, he was given the best possible burial. Amid a shower of confetti, full military honors and a rousing tribute, Lt. Col. Angel Benitez was laid to rest at high noon on Aug. 30 as his fellow soldiers vowed to pursue the fight.
Around 500 family members, relatives, friends and soldiers paid their last respects at the Mass and burial at the Garden of the Ascension memorial park in Mandurriao District in Iloilo City.
Benitez, 40, executive officer of the 102nd Army Brigade, was killed along with other soldiers when they were trapped by Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Lanao del Norte on Aug. 18. He was the highest-ranking soldier killed by Moro rebels since 2005.
Around 30 of Benitez’s mistahs (classmates) belonging to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990 came wearing black armbands emblazoned with “Angel ‘90.”
His widow, Maria Elena “Cookie” Antenor Cruz Benitez, 37, was seated at the front chapel dressed in black and flanked by their three sons and a daughter, aged 9 to 15. His family from Naguilian town in La Union also came.
In a tribute after the Mass, speakers took turns remembering the slain officer.
“He was our Manong in the truest sense of the word,” said his younger brother George Benitez.
George said his brother followed in the footsteps of their deceased father Maximo, who was a World War II veteran.
Always an achiever
He said it was difficult growing up with his brother because he set a high standard for everyone and was always an achiever and diligent with his studies.
“He was a loyal follower, dedicated husband and loving father to his children,” said George.
He said they have kept abreast of the achievements of his brother who had consistently topped the courses and trainings that he took throughout his career.
“He was the source of our pride. He was our best foot forward,” said George who openly wept during his speech.
Lt. Col. Pasianito Castillo, a squad mate at the PMA, recalled how “Benitz,” as the fallen soldier was called during their cadet days, helped him and their roommates by fixing their bunks, shining their shoes and even ironing their pants so they would not get any demerit.
“We were always awarded a pack of Chippy and Coke Litro for having the best room because of Benitz,” said Castillo.
He also recalled how Benitez had fallen in love with Cookie and how he would many times borrow a cassette player and play a romantic song “to get in the mood” to write love letters for his then-girlfriend.
Another classmate, Lt. Col. Rolan Garin, said Benitez talked about his family most of the time and shared how he was so proud that one of his children was joining a math contest while he had difficulty in math at the PMA.
Last messages
Lt. Col. Marion Sison, one of the last persons who received text messages from Benitez, said he received a message from the slain officer around 6 a.m. on Aug. 18 saying that he and his men were ambushed.
Thirty minutes later, Benitez texted again to ask for air support. Shortly after he said the rebels had already surrounded his position and were pinpointing his location.
“Knowing Angel, I knew that he wouldn’t surrender,” said Sison.
Cookie said her husband was “a consummate soldier whose love for country came first before anything else.” But she said her husband had painstakingly watched over the development of their children.
She recalled how happy he was in March last year when one of their sons saluted his father after he received a medal for being the class salutatorian.
Cookie last saw her husband alive on Aug. 10 when he bid them goodbye before he left for his new assignment.
“I always cried a lot every time he left. But I did not cry that time. How I wish I had hugged him longer and told him how I truly love him,” she said.
The tribute ended with the playing of one of Benitez’s favorite songs, “My Love Will See You Through,” which drove Cookie again into tears.
Preceded by a military band, the flag-draped coffin was carried by his mistahs from the chapel to his final resting place.
As the final rites were performed, a military helicopter made several flyovers, a sign of respect and honor, as it dropped confetti.
|
