ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division on Sunday paid final tribute to Staff Sergeant Windel C. Sabuyas Jr., awarding him the Bronze Cross Medal posthumously for heroism after he died rescuing civilians during the maritime tragedy involving the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.
In a solemn flag presentation ceremony on February 15 at Camp Arturo T. Enrile in Barangay Malagutay, Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Orion, formally handed the Philippine flag to Mr. Sabuyas’s widow, Mrs. Jenelyn C. Sabuyas, in recognition of what military officials described as “extraordinary courage and selfless devotion to duty.”
The Bronze Cross Medal is among the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ decorations for heroism in combat or life-threatening situations. Army officials said the award recognized Staff Sgt. Sabuyas’s decisive actions during the sea disaster, where witness accounts indicate he repeatedly assisted stranded civilians amid dangerous conditions before ultimately losing his life.
“He embodied the highest traditions of military service — courage without hesitation, compassion without limit,” General Peña said in remarks during the ceremony, according to the division’s public affairs office. “His sacrifice saved lives and reminds us of the true meaning of service to the Filipino people.”
The fallen soldier’s remains lie in state at Camp Arturo T. Enrile, where vigil honors are being observed by fellow soldiers, family members, and members of the public. Army honor guards maintain a ceremonial watch beside the flag-draped casket, a military tradition reserved for personnel who die in the line of duty or in acts of valor.
Military officials said departure honors would be rendered in Zamboanga City before the transfer of the remains to Lasam, Cagayan, his hometown in northern Luzon. Arrival honors and full military funeral rites will follow there, including final salutes and ceremonial rites acknowledging his service to the nation.
The maritime incident involving the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 has been described by authorities as a deadly sea emergency that unfolded rapidly, leaving passengers and crew struggling for survival. While official investigative details remain limited, accounts gathered by military authorities indicate that Staff Sgt. Sabuyas prioritized the evacuation and safety of civilians rather than his own escape.
Survivor testimonies cited by the Army recount how he helped stabilize frightened passengers and assisted individuals toward safer positions during the crisis. Soldiers who served with him described his actions as consistent with his character and training.
“He was the kind of soldier who would always move first when others needed help,” said one comrade, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly. “What he did that day was who he was every day.”
The 11th Infantry Division, headquartered in Zamboanga Peninsula, is tasked primarily with security and counterinsurgency operations in Western Mindanao, but its personnel are frequently deployed in humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions across the region. Army officials emphasized that such dual roles — combat readiness and civilian protection — define the mission of front-line infantry units.
“Alakdan Troopers are trained not only to fight but to protect,” the division said in a statement. “Staff Sergeant Sabuyas demonstrated both in the most profound way possible.”
Military leaders often stress that acts of valor in noncombat emergencies carry particular resonance in the Armed Forces, reinforcing public trust in soldiers as protectors beyond the battlefield. Analysts note that such narratives are central to the Army’s institutional identity, especially in a country prone to natural disasters and maritime incidents.
For the Sabuyas family, the ceremony blended pride and grief. Mrs. Sabuyas received the folded national flag — symbolizing the nation’s gratitude — as soldiers stood at attention. The gesture is a long-standing military tradition honoring service members who die in acts of heroism.
Family members declined public comment, but Army officials said the widow expressed gratitude for the recognition of her husband’s sacrifice.
The Army said the transfer of remains to Cagayan will allow hometown residents and relatives to participate in funeral rites and pay respects. Community leaders there are expected to coordinate commemorations acknowledging his heroism.
Military funerals in the Philippines typically include rifle salutes, bugle calls, and ceremonial honors reflecting both national mourning and institutional respect. Officials said full honors would be accorded to Staff Sgt. Sabuyas upon burial.
Within the ranks, his death has resonated deeply. Soldiers in the 11th Infantry Division described the loss as both personal and emblematic of the risks service members face beyond combat operations.
“His courage reminds us why we wear this uniform,” General Peña said. “Though he is gone, his example remains — a lasting legacy for the Philippine Army and for the nation he served.”
As vigil honors continue in Zamboanga City, fellow troops file past the casket in quiet tribute, a final farewell to a soldier whose last act was to save others — and whose story now joins the Philippine military’s enduring roll of honor.