Friday, July 27, 2012

A Scout Ranger remembers me



When my phone rang at around 7:00am today, I saw the familiar name of the registered caller: Ranger Castillon.

His name is Corporal Alvin Castillon, 35, of Zamboanga City. I helped him join the First Scout Ranger Regiment sometime in 2002.

He just wanted to break the 'news' that he wanted me to hear.

"Sir, buhay po ako pagkatapos ng kalahating araw na bakbakan sa Sumisip!" (Sir, I survived the half-day encounter in Sumisip!)

"We were also able to bring home all of our fallen friends sir. Amidst the volley of fires, we picked our casualties one by one, saving half of them who are now recuperating in Zamboanga."

I was surprised by his unexpected call. I never expected that I am among the first ones whom he remembered after surviving that brutal encounter which claimed the lives of 6 members of the patrol yesterday, July 26.

"Alvin, have you called your wife? Your parents?" (Bakit ako pa ata inuuna nito)

"Yes sir, they are all happy to hear the news that I am alive and kicking," he said.

Castillon said that he just wanted me to know that he  survived the deadly clashes during which the 40-man patrol where he belonged fought in a fierce firefight against more or less 150 heavily armed bandits.

He also said that he wanted to thank me. (Me drama pa ata itong Ranger na ito)

"Di pa kita napapasalamatan dahil sa mga tulong mo sa akin sir. Dadaanan kita sa office mo pag ako ay makapag-bakasyon at dalhan kita ng pasalubong galing dito sa Basilan."

Sensing that he was affected by the deaths of his patrol members, I tried to cheer him up.

"I am glad that you're alive. Report to me with your boots on and tell me your memorable experiences. I don't care about your pasalubong, I will be the one to give you something when you're here . Don't forget to pray together with your fellow soldiers. "

As the line was cut, I can't help but smile by the thought that soldiers remember me for simple things I did for them. 

These are the same soldiers whom we lead towards dangerous missions in the frontlines.

Aside from the rigorous soldiery skills training, leaders must really invest in relationships with their soldiers.

Caring for them and helping them solve some personal problems are the best formulas to make them dedicated and trustworthy, even in the heat of battles.

I used the same approach when I led the 10th Scout Ranger Company to numerous battles in Basilan and Sulu from 2000-2002.

Treating fellow soldiers like brothers, the Scout Rangers work and function as a solid Team.

No wonder that the Rangers never leave a fallen comrade behind.

I can count on Ranger Castillon as one of them.

He left no one behind in the encounter site yesterday.

I salute all of them.




13 comments:

  1. wow naman ....buti ligtas xa condolence sa namatayan po

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  2. Rangers, una sa lahat condolence po sa inyho at sa mga pamilya ng mga nasawi nating mga magigiting sundalo na mga taga pag ligtas ng mga mamamayang pilipino. May their souls rest in peace.

    Sana ipagpatuloy nyo ang pakikipag laban sa mga bandito at nino mang makakaliwang grupo na nag nanais sirain ang magandang ating Gobyerno at pag samantalahan ang kaming mga mamamayan na lubos umaasa ng katahimikan at kapayapaan sa ating Bansa.

    Salamat sa inyo mga magigiting na mga Kawal kung wala kayo hindi kami makakatulog ng mahimbing o magiging kampati man lamang sa aming pamumuhay.

    Isa po akong member ng First Southern Leyte Ready Reserved Batallion Charlie Coy(805th CDC, 8RCDG ARESCOM)at ngayon ako po ay isang OFW na naka base sa UAE. Higit po akong umaasa sa inyong lahat para sa seguridad ng aming mahal sa buhay na nandyan sa Pilipinas..

    Once again Rangers maraming salamat sa inyong paglilingkod saaming mammayang Pilipino at sa ating Bansa.

    Rangers Lead the Way,You Strike!!


    Nathaniel

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  3. Condolence to the families and FSRR of the fallen Rangers..

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  4. Never shall I fail my comrades...Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country...Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor.

    RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! ALL THE WAY!

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  5. Thank you Nathaniel at mga musang friends.

    Sa seryosohang combat missions sa Basilan, we only need the best soldiers led by the best LEADERS.

    Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit ipinag-uutos ni CGPA ang masinsinang training ng mga sundalo lalo sa sa mission planning na napakahalaga para mas maging matagumpay ang mga trabahong gagampanan.

    Mabuhay ang Philippine Army!

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  6. i couldn't help not to smile reading this article as well. good job rangers!

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  7. I salute all the rangers and other soldiers in the Phil Army!

    I always include you in my prayers!

    More power and God bless you and your family!


    -nikki

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  8. Thank you very much for the prayers Nikki!

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  9. i know mr alvin castillon personally actually and im glad he's safe whereever u r ryt now i hope u r happy w/ the life u choose.

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  10. good morning sir...tanung lng po pano po pwede po b ipawalang bisa ng lalaking sundalo ang kasal nya without knowing ng legal wife? isa po kc aq sa mga asawa ng sundalo,,,salamat po

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  11. Well, that is a legal issue that must be discussed with a lawyer.

    Anyway, let me answer based on my limited knowledge about civil law.

    Kung ipinawalang bisa ang kasal sa pamamagitan ng annulment, dapat ay alam ito ng kabiyak dahil i-file nila ito bilang kaso sa korte.

    Dapat merong basehan ang pag file ng kaso at minsan nag uusap na lang ang mag-asawang gustong maghiwalay na hindi na kontrahin ang mga basehan na inilatag ng mag file na sya rin ang magbabayad sa napakamahal na gastusin sa pag asikaso ng annulment case.

    Kung hindi alam ng kabiyak, maaaring hindi lehitimo ang naturang dokumento at pwede itong kasuhan ng falsification of public documents.

    Maaari din itong kasuhan ng administrative case sa Provost Marshal ng Philippine Army. Idulog nyo na lang sa naturang opisina ang iyong hinaing.

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  12. Thank u sir 4 giving time explaining that matter. God Bless scout ranger including Mr Alvin Castillon...wherever you are right now goodluck with your choosen life.

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