Slain officer saw becoming a soldier as ticket out of poverty

Second Lieutenant Jun Corpuz. Screengrab from https://rangercabunzky.blogspot.com/

MANILA, Philippines–Gone too soon.

Six Army soldiers were killed in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf in Sumisip town in Basilan on Sunday, November 2, and one of them was Second Lieutenant Jun Corpuz.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2014, he was the only officer among the fatalities. He was 22.

A team of soldiers were sent to secure the ongoing Basilan Circumferential Road project when they figured with militants, which resulted in the death of six soldiers.

“Nagsundalo siya kasi ito lang ang nakita niyang oportunidad na makaahon sa hirap. Kinaya niya ang lahat ng training sa PMA at nagtapos. Pero maiksi lang ang buhay na naiharap sa kanya,” his mother Elizabeth lamented in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

(He became a soldier because he saw this as the only opportunity to rise from poverty. He endured the trainings in the PMA and finished his studies there. But his life was cut short.)

Corpuz, who hails from Bacnotan, La Union, was the fourth of seven children of Cresencio and Elizabeth, both 49.

The junior officer died six months after graduation. He had dreams to fulfill. After all, he finished 13th of his class.

In military public affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc’s telling, Corpuz was “a brilliant mathematician” and wanted to be a part of the Army’s Scout Rangers. His maternal uncle, Master Sergeant Jaime Galima, was part of the elite unit and served as an inspiration to him.

The slain officer was already programmed to take the six-month Scout Ranger course next year before the tragic incident.

Sergeant Marvin Paragoso, one of the survivors who fought with Corpuz, described the officer as someone who easily mingled with the troops.

“He was a very caring person who readily listened and helped solve our problems. He always found time to interact with us during our leisure time,” he told Cabunoc.

For his family, he was selfless not only for the country but for them, too.

“Wala akong masabi (sa kanya bilang anak). Mabait, down-to-earth, mapagbigay, good provider at sa trabaho naman ‘yung sahod nya ay pinapag-aral niya sa mga kapatid n’ya,” his mother said.

(I have only good words for him. He was kind, down-to-earth, generous, and a good provider. Whatever he earned from his work he used to send his siblings to school.)

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. has already ordered an investigation on how the incident happened and to find out if anyone was at fault.

Corpuz was supposed to see his family for Christmas, but he would arrive home sooner, lifeless.

“Magkikita sana kami ngayong Christmas kaya lang wala na,” Elizabeth said.

(We were going to have a reunion this Christmas, but now, he is gone.)

The rest of the slain soldiers who died with Corpuz were:

1. Sergeant Tranquilino G Germo — New Panay Aleosan, Cotabato
2. Private First Class rolando p entera Jr. — Bgy Dualing, Aleosan
3. Pfc. Freddie G Pandoy — Bgy Dualing, Aleosan
4. Pfc. Raffy E Canuto — Bgy Pansud, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
5. Pfc. Mark Anthony F Singson, Bgy Manuangan, Pigkawayan, North Cotabato

The soldiers will be given honors on Monday at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City, Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato said.

He assured that the fallen soldiers will receive burial and financial assistance.

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