Dying young as a hero: The story of 2nd Lt Jun Corpuz

Cadet Jun Corpuz developed his leadership abilities when he became the Company Commander of Foxtrot Company, Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Definitely, it was not an ordinary All Souls Day 2014. I was visiting the tomb of my father-in-law when I received a text message about the death of 6 Army soldiers in Basilan. Again?

I heard that one of the fatalities was a young Army officer who wanted to become a Scout Ranger like me. 

In the initial accounts that I gathered from the ground, I learned that he died as a hero.

I called some friends and colleagues to know more about this man. Gradually, I felt like I lost my own brother.

A proud Ilocano, 2nd Lieutenant Jun Galima Corpuz, 22, was the fourth child among the seven children of Cresencio and Elizabeth, both 49. 

He was a second year BS Engineering student of Don Mariano Marcos State University in Bacnotan, La Union when he decided to enter the Philippine Military Academy in April 2010.

A brilliant mathematician since his college days, he excelled and graduated number 13 in his class. 

Scout Ranger dream

As a PMA cadet, Corpuz dreamed of becoming a Scout Ranger and  yearned to live a life that is full of danger. 

After finishing the orientation course on Scout Ranger combat leadership fundamentals, he was more determined become a 'Musang' (Scout Ranger) himself.

As a PMA cadet, 2nd Lt Corpuz had expressed his intention to become a Scout Ranger. This photo was taken during their field training exercises.

He was motivated by the combat stories shared by his maternal uncle, Master Sergeant Jaime Galima, a battle-hardened Scout Ranger who regularly visited his home when he was still a young boy.

"He told me that he would like to earn the 'tabak' (Scout Ranger qualification badge) one day. He really wanted to become a war hero and a warrior like uncle Jaime," said Emmanuel, 23, his elder brother.

His company commander, 1st Lt Michael Ignario, said that Corpuz volunteered to attend the rigorous 6-month Scout Ranger Course. 

"He was very dedicated in his job and he showed the best traits of a leader. I programmed him to attend the SR Course in the 2nd quarter of 2015,"said Ignario.

Dying a hero

Corpuz was never discouraged by the unfavorable comments from his relatives who said that "soldiers die young".

"I am not afraid to die because anyone will die once God decides to take back his life. I rather die a hero than perish as a 'tambay'," Cresencio quoted him as saying.

He considered his Basilan assignment as the start of the fulfillment of his dream of becoming a warrior-leader. 

He was very excited when he reported for duty as a Platoon Leader of Alpha Company, 64th Infantry Battalion in the war-torn municipality of Sumisip.

2nd Lt Jun Corpuz gamely posed for a photo with Muslim women during a CMO activity in Basilan Province.

Sgt Marvin Paragoso, 33, was one of the two survivors who fought with Corpuz against a numerically superior enemy early morning on Sunday (November 2). 

He said that Corpuz was a very good leader who can easily mingle 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," said Paragoso as he held back tears.

2nd Lt Jun Corpuz was known as an approachable leader who can easily mingle with the enlisted personnel under his command.

Paragoso was with Corpuz during a routine security patrol in Libug village, Sumisip town where the construction of the 64-km Basilan Circumferential Road was ongoing. 

Corpuz and his men saw a high ground that could be used by bandits as a staging ground for their attacks. He decided to clear the  bushy part of the hill by personally checking its surroundings. 

"While climbing the hill, we saw a man who hurriedly left away from the crest. All of a sudden our leading elements were heavily engaged in an intense firefight, hitting some of them. Positioned a few meters from the leading elements,  Lt Corpuz commanded us to provide supporting fires to save them. We fought hard but we were overwhelmed by their numbers."

Sensing that they will be encircled, Paragoso convinced Corpuz to jump towards a ravine and find a covered position as he radioed for reinforcements. 

"I saw Lt Corpuz firing his gun at our attackers while I leaped towards a defilade to escape from the high-explosive rounds that rained on us. I was hit and bleeding so I crawled towards safety," he said. 

When his comrades came after about half an hour, they found the lifeless body of their respected officer. 

He died fighting to save his wounded comrades whom he considered as his brothers. 

Tears flowed as they carried all of the six fatalities back to their detachment. 

"I will never forget a compassionate leader like him. True to his word, he left no one behind," said Paragoso, a native of Cotabato.

Provider

A construction worker himself, Cresencio said that Jun supported the family during its trying times. 

"After his PMA graduation, he loaned an amount so that his mother can pay all the debts that she incurred while sending all our children to school," he said.

Cresencio also said that Jun acted like a mentor to his other siblings. 

"He was the one who encouraged them to study well and become a better person. He event encouraged his brothers to take the PMA entrance exams," he said. 

** Photos were taken from the FB account of 2nd Lt Jun Corpuz (with permission from his family members)