La Union declares slain officer hero

By Erwin G. Beleo

BACNOTAN, La Union – A young Army officer killed in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sumisip, Basilan was declared by La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega and members of the provincial board a hero Monday due to his bravery and dedication to service.

The provincial board, headed by Vice Governor Aureo Nisce, unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the courageous act of 2nd Lt. Jun G. Corpuz, 22, who died along with five other soldiers after an ambush by Abu Sayyaf bandits while guarding a government project in Basilan.

“Sayang, sana nakita niya kung papano siyatin ang gap ng maraming kababayan niya bilang bayani (My son should have seen how he was welcomed back by his townmates as a hero),” said Cresencio, father of Corpuz, at their residence where the fallen hero lies in state. The soldier’s burial is tentatively scheduled on Nov. 29.

Before Corpuz was placed in a white casket – with a Philippine flag draped over it, his remains were met by a huge crowd that included Bacnotan and barangay officials.

The flag in the municipal hall was flown half-mast as well as in public schools.

Army sentries were posted as sympathizers and onlookers passed by the coffin. Faculty members and students from his school, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University where he took up BS Engineering course before going to the PMA, lined-up the street to welcome back their esteemed alumnus.

“It’s the first time to have a momentous incident like this in the barangay,” said barangay chairman George Hernandez, who is Corpuz’s grandfather.

Cresencio has also allowed his other son, 17-year-old Christian, to follow in the footsteps of his brother in the

PMA despite the dangers of the job.

Corpuz, was the fourth among the eight children of Cresencio and Elizabeth. He was a fresh graduate from the Philippine Military Academy and reported for duty as a platoon leader of the Alpha Company, 64th Infantry Battalion in the tragic encounter with the ASG.