A gallant officer whose death would not be in vain’

A gallant officer whose death would not be in vain’
Source : Inquirer.net
Saturday, 23 August 2008 22:57





ILOILO CITY, Philippines—The way he lived is the way he will be remembered.

Visitors stream in continuously to view the remains of the fallen officer in the white casket flanked by an honor guard.

The modest home is filled with flowers of various colors, sizes and shapes strung with messages of sympathy from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, government officials, military officers and friends.

Lieutenant Colonel Angel Benitez’s death and heroism have brought grief, and pride, to the simple home in the village of Tabuc Suba, Jaro District, Iloilo City.

“We grieve for the loss of a very professional and competent officer,” said Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano at the wake on Thursday.

“His death is a great loss to the armed forces and the government but I know he did not die in vain. We are continuing what he fought for,” Yano said.

Benitez, 40, executive officer of the Army’s 102nd Brigade, was killed along with two soldiers when they were ambushed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Lanao del Norte on Aug. 18.

He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star on Wednesday for bravery and gallantry in action for holding his ground after he and his men shot it out with hundreds of MILF rebels while continuously texting their location to their superiors.

It was a tragic but not surprising end for an officer who dedicated 18 years of his life to the military.

Benitez’s career took off after graduation from the Philippine Military Academy in 1990. He topped the Scout Ranger and military intelligence and psychological-operations courses he took.

Recently, he graduated at the top of his class from the General Staff College (GSC) after taking a course required for promotion to full colonel and to command a battalion.

Benitez, who was commander of various infantry and intelligence units, had also won several awards and medals including the Bronze Cross and Military Merit Medal.

Maj. Dennis Pacis, a classmate at the PMA, said officers and troops who were under Benitez were all praises for the officer.

“He got along well with his troops and led them in achieving their work and mission,” said Pacis, a member of the staff of the Army’s 301st Brigade based in Dingle, Iloilo.

“He was the perfect soldier,” said his widow Maria Elena or “Cookie.”

But despite his achievements and stature, Benitez remained unassuming and lived a simple life.

“He was so frugal and did not want any extravagance,” said Cookie.

She said she opted to hold her husband’s wake at their home instead of a more spacious funeral parlor because that was what he would have wanted.

“He always encouraged us and trained the children to only spend for the essentials and not for what they want,” said Cookie.

Benitez would only buy new school shoes for their children when the old ones could not be worn anymore.

“He told our kids that shoes did not make students excel or do good in school but hard work and intelligence did,” said Cookie.

He also stressed the importance of preparing for the future.

Their four children aged 9 to 15 have bank accounts into which they deposit savings from their allowance and birthday money.

The couple had also invested in a property from his savings after he was assigned to a peacekeeping force in Sudan in 2006.

Despite his frugality, Benitez made sure to fulfill promises he made to the children like a treat to a fast food restaurant or swimming at a resort.

“He did not want to break the trust of our children so he would make sure to fulfill whatever commitment he made,” said Cookie.

“I am happy and proud that he has not been involved in any irregularities in his long years in the service,” she added.