The SEAL and the Helmet

BY JACKIE JEAN ESTANISLAO ASPIRAS

I never met the man —I got introduced to his helmet instead.
And the sight of his helmet on the ground was one of the most heartbreaking images I have ever seen.

The hyphen was already there, he was just one line short —he was gone one day too early.

I never met the warrior — but I have learned of his many courageous deeds, how he had fought fiercely, how he had saved a number of his comrades numerous times by putting his own life on the line.

CPL EDUARDO C SAQUING was the fierce gunner of the Naval Special Operations Group’s NAVSOU8 (Philippines' version of the U.S Navy's SEAL). He has been known to mark his helmet with the number of days he spends in a battle. Saquing made his last stand in Barangay Santa Catalina, Zamboanga City last September 2013. He fought along side his other special operations brothers against rogue Moro National Liberation Front elements for fifteen days. The number on his helmet was just a day short of the liberation of Zamboanga. A day short of being hailed as one of the heroes of what is considered one of the most successful military rescues in the world.
He was a hero — but one gone too soon.

FACELESS HERO

I stared at the image of his helmet on my laptop screen, and for more than five minutes I was just sobbing alone in the library, staring at the hyphen, wishing for just one more line — then this story wouldn’t have to be written, there wouldn’t have to be any orphan left behind, there wouldn’t have to be any flag-draped casket being sent home.

But what was more heartbreaking was I asked for a picture of the man, to supplement the story we were writing — his unit was not able to send one. They couldn’t find one.

Like many of his Navy SEAL brothers, Saquing has fought under the shadows. Whatever victory they claim, they celebrate within their small circle, whatever defeat they suffer, they deal with in silence. They work without thought for recognition — they work to simply get the job done. No Frogman croaks about his mission success — because many of their missions are classified.
Our organic Frogmen more often than not remain faceless until they move to another unit — or sadly until they are gone.

THE FIERCE SEAL

Saquing was no ordinary warrior. He was already a trained Marine Force Recon when he decided to undergo the toughest special operations training program of the AFP to become a Navy SEAL.

His courage was a saving grace for his comrades on numerous occasions. His NAVSOU8 Commander couldn’t help but shed tears upon learning of Saquing’s demise during the ongoing running battle. “Nang namatay siya, duon talaga ako umiyak,” he recalled how Saquing had earlier saved him in an encounter in Basilan, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. Saquing’s Commander was pinned down under a heavy volume of enemy fire, it was Saquing who single handedly saved him from imminent death by facing the enemies head on to reposition his Commander to safety. “Utang ko sa kanya ang buhay ko”.

FACELESS NO MORE

It has been two years since I was introduced to Saquing’s helmet, but two month’s ago I was tasked to put up the AFP Joint Special Operations Group’s Wall of Honor — to remember all the heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice in our battle against terrorism.

Finally, NAVSOG gave me a picture of the young man — and he was not the fierce hero I imagined him to be — he almost looked ordinary — and then I realised that is how most of our soldiers look — ordinary — until they start fighting for our people and country, then you see their extraordinary courage to overcome all challenges with fierce determination, no matter the odds.

LET’S NOT MAKE CPL SAQUING AND ALL OTHER SOLDIERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE JUST ANOTHER FACE ON THE WALL.
LET’S CONTINUE TO HONOR THEM BY EMULATING THE COURAGE THEY HAVE SHOWN, TO BE BETTER CITIZENS — TO MAKE THIS A BETTER COUNTRY.
HOOOOOOYAH!

(Written By: JACKIE JEAN ESTANISLAO ASPIRAS)