MANILA, Philippines - It was Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, and Navy Hospitalman Third Class Sergs Estropigan was looking forward to watching the movie “Thor†with his wife.
Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) personnel like him perform physically demanding tasks so a weekend date is something to look forward to.
An urgent text message received at about 6 p.m., however, prompted Estropigan to cancel the date, a situation that his wife is already used to.
“It was normal for her. Before, she was offended and irritated because I was supposed to have time for her. Eventually, she got used to it,†he told The STAR.
The text message required him to leave Quezon City and report to Sangley Point, Cavite but did not provide other details. But it wasn’t important for Estropigan, who was trained to follow orders.
“There were messages that arrived. We need to go back as soon as possible. We were informed that something happened but it was not yet revealed to us. But that is normal,†he said.
Estropigan and his companions only knew about their mission when they were on board a plane bound for Masbate.
“We were already in the plane for about 30 minutes when we were told that we were on a high-profile mission. We would conduct a rescue operation for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo,†the Navy soldier said.
“It was a rescue and not a recovery mission because everybody was hoping that the secretary was still alive,†he added.
Estropigan and other NAVSOG men had to dive 60 meters deep or about 200 feet for the next three days to search for Robredo. Each Navy frogman stayed under water for 45 minutes to about an hour, and 20 minutes to perform the task.
On the fourth day of search operations, the Navy divers retrieved Robredo’s body and rendered their final salute before bringing him to the surface.
“The initial thought we had was the sad reality. We felt sad for the family members who were very hopeful,†Estropigan said.
It was a sad ending for those whose lives were touched by the late secretary. But it was also a shining moment for ordinary soldiers who are ready to skip dates and to risk life and limb to perform their mission.
Estropigan is one of the ten soldiers who won this year’s Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), a project of the Metrobank Foundation that seeks to recognize the heroism of military personnel.
He was cited for participating in numerous search and rescue operations including that of Task Force Kalihim.
Other winners include Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the military’s plans, policies and programs division who was feted for his anti-insurgency drive in Bohol; Chief M/Sgt. Jawili Mendoza, who led the team that secured the first-ever national election in East Timor; T/Sgt. Ferdinand Baladjay, a sniper credited for various successful anti-terror operations; Capt. Vicente Cejoco, who risked his life in numerous disaster relief operations, and T/Sgt. Dante Berganio, whose expertise and commitment led to combat victories and the conduct of civil relations projects.
Also feted were Lt. Col. Moises Micor, who has received several awards for his bravery during the onslaught of the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao; M/Sgt. Alberto Pasebre, instrumental in the conduct of reconnaissance missions over the Kalayaan island group; T/Sgt. Nolito Tumesa, credited for the enhanced operational readiness of the Air Force, and Maj. Daneck Dang-Awan, who organized several activities that promoted the well-being of children.
Each winner will receive a cash prize of P300,000 and a trophy. The winners, however, believe that rendering service is what is important and the monetary reward is just a bonus.
“Ma’am Leni (Robredo) thanking us personally is already something for us,†Estropigan said, referring to the wife of the late interior secretary.