The vivid memory of his harrowing experience is all over the countenace of CPT NESTOR M MONDIA PA, Batalion Executive Officer of the 75th Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division, as he recalled his bloody encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group(ASG) in Brgy. Kagay, Indanan, Sulu last August 12, 2005. It was an operation intiated by the Army after a number of harassments undertaken by the ASG. The enemy's stronghold was a mere 300 meters away from the Camps' observation post and was already declared a "no man's land".

      CPT MONDIA and his men left the batallion headquarters at the break of dawn. Upon reaching the site, they prepositioned themselves on a high ground and started firing towards the enemy. There was a ceasefire from the group after a while as there was no one returning fire. After 10 minutes, the ASG camp looked like an ant hill with

ants scampering in all directions.

      As the ASG fired back, bullets went coming from all directions, hitting his right leg and two of his men. But not one among his people moved fearing they could easily be hit once they got out from their places. Since no option was left, CPT MONDIA crawled towards the spot where the wounded soldiers were to extricate them to safer grounds.

      Taken aback and surprise, he witnessed the ASG dragged one of the wounded soldiers to their side to be executed. Through weakened by his site and the wounds in his leg, he urged his men to keep on fighting while continuously firing.

      It was already 3:30 in the afternoon when the much awaited support and rescue team arrived. As soon as he was safe inside the chopper, it was only then that he realized he was still alive and the thought of his family seized his consciousness. Drained and exhausted, he managed to say, "If I die, please take care of my family..."

      He received medical attention eleven hours after being hit by enemy fire. But the doctor confirmed his greatest fear - his right leg has to go. There was no way it was going to be saved.

      CPT MONDIA may have lost his right leg but this does not stop him from fulfilling his sworn commitment. Without the slightest trace of bitterness, he said he is willing to go back anytime to fight again when needed. Truly, the gallantry and heroism exemplified by CPT NESTOR M MONDIA PA proves that he is among the few we can call HEROES.