Gov.ph - Defense

Col Jesus Villamor Air Base – 22 Feb 2005 - A nine-man foot patrol team from the Air Force 730th Combat Group (CG) personally led by 1LT MORENO B SERVITO encountered more or less 20 Communist-Terrorists (CTs) in Lian, Batangas early today. The encounter occurred around 6:45 AM in the vicinity of Sitio Kumba, Barangay Puting Kahoy in Lian and caused the demise of 1st Lt Moreno B Servito as well as slight injuries to two other enlisted members of 730th CG patrol team.

The team was out on patrol since last night to check on local residents’ reports of the presence of heavily armed CTs in the area. Reports also indicated that the CTs were also collecting revolutionary taxes. 1Lt Servito, a hands-on leader, led the group and kept on the frontline of the patrol. According to early accounts of the encounter received by the Philippine Air Force, the patrolling airmen met the CTs head-on in a chance encounter early this morning with 1Lt Servito bravely leading and rallying his men. The cohesive and courageous action of the airmen undermined the enemy and caused them to disengage. However, during the course of the engagement a fatal round hit 1Lt Servito and caused his demise. Another soldier offering up the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

A number of days ago on February 15 in the vicinity of Mount San Pedrino, Calatagan, Batangas, airmen on patrol from the same unit figured in a decisive clash with a similar number of fully-armed NPA Communist Terrorists (CT) where three (3) CTs, one of whom was a female were killed. The troops who were participating in an interoperability exercise with flying units of the PAF earlier were also dispatched to verify reports from local residents of armed groups in the vicinity of the exercise area. Members of the 730th CG were involved in the exercise to increase operational efficiency in the conduct of joint missions with airborne elements. Following the clash last week, operating Air Force combat troops recovered assorted ammunitions, grenades, one (1) M16 and one (1) M14 rifles. The airmen did not suffer any casualties.

Following this morning’s encounter, LT GEN JOSE L REYES, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force ordered the deployment of two (2) MG520 helicopters to the area to help in the pursuit operations. The remains of 1Lt Servito has been airlifted to Col Jesus Villamor Air Base before noon today and tomorrow, it will be brought to Zamboanga City where he hails from.

1LT SERVITO is a graduate of Batch 2001 of the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School in Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas. He was the Admin and Personnel Officer of the 732 Combat Support Squadron of the 730th CG, 710th SPOW prior to his untimely demise. His parents and a brother survive him.