By Cyrus A. Natividad
In commemoration of the Bonaficio day on November 30, we remember the life of Centralian hero 2nd Lt. Ronie B. Pagunsan (CPU HS ’71/ PMA’79) who sacrificed his life for his country.
November 30 is a national holiday commemorating one of the Philippine national heroes, Andres Bonifacio, who volunteered to fight and die for his country.
Reflecting on the history of heroes, one fallen Centralian must be remembered for defending his country from its enemies: 2nd Lt. Ronie B. Pagunsan (CPU HS ’71/ PMA’79).
He was on a break in his tour of duty at the 1st Infantry Battalion Tabak 2nd Division of the Philippine Army, when he decided to join his fellow “Peemayers” in tradition to attend its alumni homecoming every year. But while he was preparing to leave for Baguio City, he learned that his Task Force was preparing for a Major Operation called “Sunogang Bagsak.” According to his brother Jason, “Ronie was a fearless fighter that he volunteered to join the operation, one more time, although he is supposed to be taking a break.”
It is normal in the Army that Frontliners/Assault Teams are volunteered, not assigned. As expected, during the tactical briefing, Pagunsan volunteered to be one of the 2 assault teams.
“While taking the lead, his men spotted a few rebels about 100 meters ahead of them at the foot of the mountain. So they slowly sneaked in towards the rebels. At about 25 meters away and unnoticed, they opened fire. When the smoke settled down, they recovered assorted weapons and 12 casualties from the enemy. While they were regrouping, the voice on the other side of the radio cautioned them to be on guard and refrain from an early celebration. Just then, fox-holed enemies from the mountainside open fired at their position. He ordered his men “Dapa!” but he himself was kneeling behind a Lanzones tree, trying to figure out the enemy’s position. His radioman called on him “Sir, Dapa!” Before he could react, two bullets from an M14 rifle ripped through the Lanzones tree and hit him. The bullets entered on both sides of his right clavicle boring two holes on his fatigue uniform. The slugs never exited his body. His last words were “Na tamaan ako.” Not moving, he was pulled back out from the line of fire by his men while the rest returned fire towards enemy positions to cover him. Bleeding internally, he died at 10:00am on that fateful day of February 20, 1980 at Indanan, Jolo, Sulu. He was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
2nd Lt. Ronnie B. Pagunsan was born on October 30, 1954; the eldest of 5 children of Rev. Teodoro Palma Pagunsan and Jeannie Villasis Balico. Pagunsan studied BS Mechanical Engineering at Central Philippine University from 1971-1974. He was the Commander of the Alpha Company, CPU PMT (CAT). He eventually became the CPU ROTC Corps Commander in 1974 and a member of the prestigious Cross Swords Fraternity.
He was also a member of several Christian groups namely: Men’s Revue, Tulalay Singing Group, Campus Crusade for Christ, the Trio of Tim Buensuceso, Dr. Lester Edwin Ruiz and himself. He entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1975, and became the Associate Editor of The Corps Magazine, Official Student Publication while a cadet.
His siblings are all Centralians : Jocelyn P. Reyes, CPU BSN’79 (Cum Laude) Law ’97 (MSU Marawi); Teddy Ken B. Pagunsan (+), CPU BSC ’81; Amilyn Grace P. Omanio, CPU HS ’91; Jason B. Pagunsan, CPU Law ’93, AB English ’89.