Best burial for fallen officer
As promised by his wife, he was given the best burial.
Amid a shower of confetti, full military honors and a rousing tribute, Lt. Col. Angel Benitez, was laid to rest at high noon yesterday as his fellow soldiers vowed to pursue his fight.
Around 500 family members, relatives, friends and soldiers paid their last respects at the Mass and burial at the Garden of the Ascension memorial park in Mandurriao District here.
Benitez, 40, executive officer of the 102nd Army Brigade, was killed along with other soldiers when they were trapped by Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Lanao del Norte on August 18. He was the highest ranking soldier killed by Moro rebels since 2005.
Around 30 of Benitez's mistahs (classmates) belonging to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1990 (Bigkis-Lahi) came wearing black armbands emblazoned with "Angel '90."
His widow, Maria Elena "Cookie" Antenor Cruz Benitez, was seated at the front chapel dressed in black and flanked by their three sons and a daughter. His family from Naguilian town in La Union also came.
In a tribute following the Mass, speakers took turns remembering the slain officer.
"He was our "Manong" in the truest sense of the word," said his younger brother George Benitez.
George said his brother followed the footsteps of their deceased father Maximo who was a World War II veteran.
He said it was difficult growing up with his brother because he set a high standard for everyone and was always and achiever and diligent with his studies.
"He was a loyal follower, dedicated husband and loving father to his children," said George.
He said they have kept abreast of the achievements of his brother who have consistently topped courses and trainings that he took throughout his career.
"He is the source of our pride. He was our best foot forward," said George who openly wept during his speech.
Lt. Col. Pasianito Castillo, a squad mate at the PMA, recalled how "Benitz," as the fallen soldier was called during their cadet days, helped him and their roommates by fixing their bunks, shining their shoes and even ironing their pants so they would not get any demerits.
"We were always awarded a pack of Chippy chips and Coke Litro for having the best room because of Benitz," said Castillo.
He also recalled how Benitez had fallen in love with Cookie and how he would many times borrow a cassette player and play a romantic song "to get in the mood" to write love letters for his then girlfriend.
Another classmate, Lt. Col. Rolan Garin, said Benitez talked about his family in most times and shared how his slain classmate was so proud that one of his children was joining a math contest while he had difficulty in math at the PMA.
Lt. Col. Marion Sison, one of the last persons who received text messages from Benitez, said he received a message from the slain officer around 6 a.m. last August 18 saying that he and his men were ambushed.
Thirty minutes later, Benitez texted again asking for air support and shortly after, he said the rebels have already surrounded his position and were pinpointing his location.
"Knowing Angel, I knew that he wouldn't surrender," said Sison.
Cookie said her husband was "a consummate soldier whose love for country came first before anything else."
But she said her husband had painstakingly watched over the development of his children.
She recalled how happy he was when one of their sons saluted his father after he received a a medal for being the class salutatorian last March.
Cookie last saw her husband alive last August 10 when he bid them goodbye before he left for his new assignment.
"I always cried a lot every time he left. But I did not cry that time. How I wish I could have hugged him longer and told him how I truly love him," said Cookie.
The tribute ended with the playing of one of Benitez's favorite songs, "My Love Will See You Through" which drove Cookie again into tears.
Preceded by a military band, the flag-draped coffin was carried by his mistahs from the chapel to his final resting place.
As the final rites were performed, the military helicopter made several fly-overs, a sign of respect and honor, as it dropped confettis.
The Taps was played after a 21-gun-salute, the last gunfire for the fallen soldier.