No more ‘Santa Claus’ for mother who lost her son in Abu ambush

MANILA, Philippines—It won’t be a happy Christmas this year for the family of the Army junior officer ambushed by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan early last month.

“Malungkot ang Pasko kasi wala na ang Santa Claus namin (It’s a sad Christmas because our Santa Claus is gone),” said Elizabeth, mother of Second Lieutenant Jun Corpuz.

The 22-year-old La Union native from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2014 was one of the six soldiers who perished in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf while guarding the Basilan Circumferential Road Project last November 2.

Corpuz had enrolled in the PMA to help his family live a better life. Though the fourth of eighth children, he was the breadwinner of the family.

Elizabeth described her son as kind, generous and a good provider. He had even sent his siblings to school.

“Mahilig siya magregalo, magbigay, makipaglaro sa mga bata, sa mga kapatid at pamangkin (He liked giving gifts, sharing, playing with the children, with his siblings, nephews, and nieces),” Elizabeth said.

“Yung mga bata hinahana-hanap na siya dahil magpa-Pasko na. Wala na magbibigay at magpapapremyo (The children are looking for him because it’s almost Christmas. There is no one to give gifts and award prizes),” she said.

Corpuz was deployed to Basilan two months after graduation. He was supposed to be home for Christmas; he came home sooner than expected, in a casket.

He was buried on November 29, Saturday, or almost a month after his death.

“Susulitin na namin na nandito siya kaya umabot ng matagal (We wanted to make the most of his being here, that’s why it took so long),” Elizabeth said.

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. visited the wake in Cabaroan village in Bacnotan town in La Union to pay his last respects and give Corpuz’ family his posthumous Gold Cross Medal, the third-highest combat honor.

The military launched all-out operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan following the incident.

“Ang sabi niya ay unti-unti na nilang naigaganti si Jun. Konting konsolasyon na samin yung naigaganti nila ang anak ko (General Catapang said they are slowly avenging Jun’s death. It’s some consolation for us that they can avenge my son’s death),” Elizabeth said.

Last year, the Corpuz family celebrated with extended relatives in La Union. This first Christmas with Corpuz gone for good would probably be the most difficult, Elizabeth said.

“Ang wish ko ay sana mabuhay siya pero imposible yun. Pero sana mapanaginipan ko siya o magparamdam kahit minsan. Para mapalagay din ako (My wish is that he live again but that’s impossible. But I hope I dream of him or sense his presence even just once. So that I can have peace of mind).”