Zamboanga siege hero named one of outstanding soldiers

The 2015 Metrobank Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (from L-R): From the Army: Colonel Danilo Pamonag, Master Sergeant Arnel Cariaga; Master Sergeant Ferdinand Lascano; from the Navy: Colonel Ariel Caculitan, Technical Sergeant Romel Bustamante Bancairin, Disbursing Clerk 3rd Class Dennis Gurrea; from the Air Force: Colonel Maxima Ignacio; Senior Master Sergeant Romeo Austria; Staff Sergeant Adriano Reginales Jr; form the Technical Administrative Corps: Major Jonna Dalaguit / METROBANK FOUNDATION

AN ELITE Army officer who played a key role on the military operations during the Zamboanga siege in 2013 was named as one of The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) by Metrobank Foundation.

Colonel Danilo Pamonag was then commander of the military’s Joint Special Operations Group when rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front attacked Zamboanga City.

The three-week siege killed around 200 people, mostly from MNLF, injured about 200 more based on estimates of authorities. The city was at a standstill for days — schools, businesses and airports were shut down. Hundreds of thousands were displaced and 10,000 homes were destroyed.

“Rescuing civilian hostages used as human shields of the rogue MNLF was the biggest challenge. We had to rescue them safely. At the end of the 21-day gun battle, we were able to rescue 195 out of 197 hostages. It’s a victory,” he said in an interview.

“Above all, we restored normalcy in Zamboanga City. We were able to bring back Zamboanga City on its own feet again,” he added.

As JSOG commander, Pamonag managed troops from elite forces of different units — the Army’s Light Reaction Regiment, First Scout Ranger Regiment and Special Forces Regiment, the Navy’s Naval Special Operations Group and the Air Force’s Special Operations Wing.

“We were always looking for ways how we could save them [civilians] from the hands of the MNLF. Everytime we advanced, they burned the building and they had civilians with them,” he added.

And as to any war, they also suffered losses. Nineteen government security forces were killed and dozens were injured.

“We would like to attribute yung award na ’to sa kanila. We would not have attained the victory and recognition ngayon if not for them,” Pamonag said.

The senior Army officer is now the regiment commander of the US-trained anti-terror unit Light Reaction Regiment based in Nueva Ecija.

Pamonag was also the first Asian recipient of the US SOCOM [Special Operations Command] Command Medal for his role during the Zamboanga siege and “for his vision in raising the capacity of the AFP and for development of combatting terrorism capabilities.”

He also previously served as Dohuk Sector commander of the United Nations Guard Contingent in Iraq.

Other winners

Other winners of the search are Colonel Ariel Caculitan, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Personnel; Colonel Maxima Ignacio, Air Force Adjutant; Major Jonna Dalida, Executive Officer/ Chief of Clinics at Army’s 4th Infantry Division; Master Sergeant Arnel Cariaga, Sgt. Major, Geospatial Intelligence Group at Camp Aguinaldo; MSgt. Ferdinand Lascano, Chief Clerk Military Intelligence Group 23 at Camp Aguinaldo; Technical Sergeant Romel Bancairin, Assistant Team Leader, Military Intelligence Group 9 at Western Mindanao Command; Disbursing Clerk 3rd Class Deniss Gurrea, Petty officer in charge, Counterintelligence Group at Naval Station Jose in Taguig; Senior MSgt Romeo Austria, Assistant AFP Sgt. Major at Camp Aguinaldo; Staff Sergeant Adriano Reginales, Asst. First Sergeant, Communications Electronics and Information System at Sangley Point.

The winners were presented in a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday. They will receive a cash prize of P400,000 and a trophy courtesy of the Metrobank Foundation.

Senator Loren Legarda and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman led the final board of judges. Other members were First District Western Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento; President of University of Asia and the Pacific Dr. Jose Maria Mariano; Gina Garcia- Atienza’ President of SunStar Management and Atty. Alexander Cambrera, Chairman and Senior Partner of Isla Lipana & Co.

TOPS, now on its 16th year, has become the highest civilian award given to military personnel. The search honors the selfless acts of valor, sacrifices, bravery, heroism and community engagements of the Filipino soldiers in keeping peace and securing the country.

AFP chief: ‘I was once a candidate for TOPS’

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr., the host of the press conference, admitted in his remarks that he was once a candidate for TOPS but did not make it.

“It can now be revealed that once upon a time I was a candidate for TOPS. Now that I’m retiring I can now reveal who was with me that applied for this TOPS award. That was 2004, if I’m not mistaken. I was then Lieutenant Colonel and Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc was then a captain and he won,” he said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Cabunoc is Catapang’s current public affairs office chief.

“I think the message here is just you have to keep on shining. I have an aunt who just passed away, and I’m reminded of her message to me: Just keep on shining. Keep on doing things for your country, for your people and everything will fall into place,” Catapang said.

“To all the awardees, this is not the end. This is just the beginning for you to keep on shining, keep on doing things for your country and your people, as the other awardees before you have done,” he added.