Brushes with danger ‘all part of the job,’ says soldier who survived Abu Sayyaf attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — “This is all part of the job.”

Staff Sergeant Johnifer Tumala, a Scout Ranger, was one of 28 the wounded soldiers from clashes against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu nearly a week ago. They were so close to the bandits and it was almost the end for them.

“Kami yung nag-reinforce sa harap. ‘Yung nasalubong namin marami nasa 50,” he said.

(We were the ones who provided reinforcement in front. We encountered around 50 rebels.)

“Halos magsampalan kami sa sobrang lapit nila,” he said when he described how near the terrorists were.

(We were so close we could practically slap each other.)

Five soldiers, all with ranks of Private First Class, were killed in the encounter, the biggest since the military launched all-out law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu last month. The slain soldiers were identified as Privates First Class Joey Blanche of Tacurong City; Gabby Aches of Misamis Oriental; Albert Villaluna of Luban, Occidental Mindoro; Alison Claro of Gamu, Isabela and Samuel Taluyan of Tamdan Kalinga.

The military fought up to 300 members of the Abu Sayyaf last Friday. Tumala was part of the reinforcement team led by First Lieutenant Michael Asistores of the First Scout Ranger Company.

A first team on reconnaissance patrol led by Second Lieutenant Dante Espiritu was watching members of the Abu Sayyaf from about 20 meters away as they waited for reinforcement so they could attack the bandits. However, they had to fire right away without the reinforcements because one of the Abu Sayyaf who was supposedly going to relieve himself was heading to their direction.

All of a sudden, they were surrounded by the Abu Sayyaf and shots were fired from all directions. The surrounding hills were said to be occupied by Radulan Sahiron, the most senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf, Hairullah Asbang, Jurim Hussein, Hatib Sawadjaan and Juli Ekit.

Unknown to the Abu Sayyaf, military reinforcements and attack helicopters were coming in. Asistores led the reinforcements while Tumala initially took charge of the wounded.

The 37-year-old Tumala, who had been previously assigned in Mindanao, said it was his first time to be injured in his 16 years of service. He sustained shrapnel wounds on his right shoulder.

Asistores was also hit on his arm.

The military said 10 of the terrorists were killed and 18 were wounded in the firefight that lasted for five hours.

Soldiers place their lives at risk every time they engage in battle but it’s all part of the job, said Tumala.

“Part ‘yun ng trabaho. Kung ‘yun (buhay) ang bigay ng Panginoon na hanggang doon na lang, doon na lang. Sa awa ng Diyos at swerte, nakaligtas kami,” he said.

(It’s part of the job. If the life that God gave you has reached its end, then so be it. By God’s mercy and through luck, we survived.)

The military launched law enforcement operations last month after the Abu Sayyaf released the two German hostages for a reported ransom of P20 million.

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. headed to Zamboanga City on Tuesday for a closed-door command conference with regional military commanders. He also visited the wounded soldiers confined at the Camp Navarro General Hospital and personally handed their combat medals.

Asistores received the Gold Cross Medal, the third highest military award while Tumala received the Wounded Personnel Medal. Other Gold Cross Medal Awardees were: Sergeant Eddie P. Lumandap Private First Class Ariel E. Cajes

The rest of the recipients of Wounded Personnel Medal award were: 1) Private First Class Carlito A. Sistoza; 2) Private First Class Richard C. Rendon; 3) Private First Class Reagan J. Apostol; 4) Private First Class Jerimane E. Corpuz; 5) Private First Class Emidio D. Bitin III; 6) Private First Class Alexander S. Nael; 7) Corporal Ray B. Tampil; 8) Private First Class Romarico T. Talledo, Jr.; 9) Private First Class Rogelio A. Domingo; 10) Private First Class Richie H. De Pedro; 11) Private First Class Rogie L. Valdez; 12) Private First Class Belger M. Ramirez; 13) Sergeant Elmer L. Lazaga; 14) Private First Class Eduardo U. Gomez; 15) Private First Class Mark Laurence A. Manggad; 16) Private First Class Orlando B. Ballesteros, Jr.; 17) Corporal Dennis S. Azerador; 18) Private First Class Jerico T. Diza; 29) Private First Class Jeffry B. Baquial; 20) Sergeant Delio B. Surio; 21) Corporal Jevsie H. Galulu; 22) Private First Class Lloyd F. Saranglao 23) Sergeant Castro P. Kitong and 24) Corporal Joey DC De Guzman.

A Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest military award, is being eyed to be given to Espiritu.

“You are our heroes. We want to honor you. We want to say ‘pag wounded kayo (if you are wounded) we will take care of you,” Catapang said.

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