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SP Joseph D. Plaza

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SP Joseph D. Plaza

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Sangguniang Panlalawigan District 2 Member of Agusan del Sur

20/09/2026

My side of the story:
The convoy of a top official was prematurely exploded with a landmine in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, fortunately he was not in the the nearest car. A Police Car got hit. It sustained some holes but personnel on board were spared. It was a usual weekly SACLEO conference at the ADS PPO where I was still the PD. It's 1300-1500H. I forgot the date but the year was 2017-2018. All C/M COPs, COs and key officers/personnel or representatives attended. I'm not fond of talking too long in meetings, just the very important once for a minute or two then I leave it to the DPDA to preside. I have to do basketball to sweat it out every day if I can. I'm a diabetic and insulin dependent for 9 years on that time. Our first game was not yet ended, I am not through yet with 3 points when CO PPMG PMaj Boni Estr###x approached me to inform that our top officer's convoy was exploded as they were coming back from officially gracing a Municipal station building blessings. I thought why (only) a premature explosion? Why not an ambush! Why no heavy volume of fire and why no casualty (in the kill zone)? Without much instructions, I commanded the CO, PPMG with intel pers to immediately proceed to the area and take action. We are nearer than the HPPO of Sur Sur. I run to my quarters just to get my FAs and ammos and boarded in a Pick up. Barely 2-3 minutes we were in the road to Barobo Sur Sur and reached just few minutes. My men just ahead of me for a km. The police security pers in the convoy were able to immediately dismount, cover and manuever, fire back at the hinter area direction immediately after the explosion. No heavy volume of fire from the enemy near the highway. Just a few distant r***e fire. No casualty from the gov't. When my PPMG ADS arrived at the scene, they conducted the hot pursuit but the suspected group were now where. Had the convoy made a little delay, the ambushers would have stablished their best position, the killzone and the landmine explosion would have claimed personnel casualties. After it was cleared, I looked for the veh of the VIP and requested him to show up in the place where the crowd is including some media personalities. He asked me, is it cleared there? I said yes Sir! He went out from his veh and went around, we escorted him and he even inspected the spot where the explosion took place, it made a big hole barely 3m from the concrete pavement. It made some holes in the patrol car too. I saw from the crowd, one "person of interest" I knew were from the other group. (I am not at liberty to detail here anymore). The physical showing of the VIP in the scene promoted positively his personality. Had he not, unwanted stories would have made adverse headlines in the media! I suspected that was a new chapter of our VIP! Caraga region is a place where GFs were still strong, fatal incidents of attrocities were not remote to happen.

15/09/2026

Going back to the drawing board!

15/09/2026

My side of the story:
Squared off the enemy, 13th RPSB! When RD Gen Naps designated me as Batcom year 2013, Sustained by Gen Ninoy Aquixx and contunued by Gen David Ombxx my RDs, my idols! the BN changed its operational position drasstically. It was "my commander's decission"! From the usual augmentation to MPS to actual combat operation. My previous assignment was CRPCR. Each week, there shall be an intel driven small unit combat ops. All MOOEs were given no cuts to COs of Coys. That was when we do not even have new FAs, ammos, veh, etc we used to see nowadays in the PNP. There were already times when the ops teams got quickly engaged. Sometimes harassed. We also got a share of evacuating our wounded pers. There was one engagement that our pers died instantly from a fatal enemy fire! The handicapped did not practically eroded the fighting condition of our officers and men. In fact, the experiences molded them far enough to become true blooded iron hearted warriors! I made sure to have at least 30k in my pocket, just in case they can be engaged and wounded or what ever, I have something to shed out for hospital deposit! I don't want my troop to die really, but we don't wanted to be cowed by whatever circumstances we face! On one remarkable day, we had a new RD Gen David Omb, while I was on conf at an army camp in BXU, one of my finest team leaders P/Lt Fulxx and P/LtPla### all LAKANs texted me that they have sighted a team of armed enemy perhaps "resting or foraging" in the area of Carmen, ADN. It also proves our intel repts are A1's too that we had hit the area correctly. I texted back few tactical instructions just for quick commander's reminder. Our troops attacked by fire and maneuver the surprised enemy which quite unprepared with the volume of fire hastily fled. When it was cleared, 8-10 long and short FAs, landmines, med/dental equipment, thousand of Ammos, several magazines, over 10 back packs, cell phones, tab, personal necessities were recovered and were made evidences for legal offensives. One was arrested and charged! Why no body count? Our FAs we generally too old, a half a century relics! This was not the last. It happened also in Rosario, ADS when I was the PD! That was I guess the first that our fighting wares proved pathetic and we had no choice! I personally saluted, shook and extended my hand to the troops, the officers and all those who took part bravely in the successful effort. Our P/C/M/ LGUs, army and SAF counterpart extended their congratulations too to the RPSB 13 and their well wishes.

13/09/2026

Wrestling, fistfight inside the bus. Mama Vic (RIP) and Engr Dan Gervacio now SP of IGACOS were on that bus with me from Dav to Agusan. Seated in front of us was a male passenger. After Tagum, he suddenly punched (severally) in the face his seatmate who was sleeping. His face suddenly bloody! Uncontented he rose from his seat and shouted at the top of his voice- sin-o isog dira? And punched the other again in the face. I was directly facing him now, he, being in front. As a police officer, I thought he was armed or with companions. I stood up to the instant challenge, I grabbed his neck and I moved quickly in his seat and pushed him to the window's side to create imbalance. I answered him back "ako". The passengers panicked now gesturing to run to the bus door, others to the window and others shouting. They saw a pistol in my hand now which I quickly took from my pocket, I pointed to the jaw of the man so that I can control and dominate the tense situation. I also shouted "Police"! The guy I pointed my gun suddenly said, "Sir kaila man ko sa imo". But to be honest I don't know him that time. We remain in that situation until the bus reached Trento, ADS. I told the driver to stop at the PNP Stn and brought the man in and reported the entire incident. All the passengers though afraid were safe unable to jump out from the bus! I in Trento, it's now my chance to return the courtesy, without would be innocent victims, I turn the table, I challenged him to a fist fight which he readilly turned down. I respected his decision, I too don't desire to get a bloody face he he. I intentionally witheld names and other events. This happened over 20 years ago still a PLt. That guy I guess still lives today.

13/09/2026

I love more the culture of the Men In Uniform (MIU) during the yester years when you are recognized and if luckily awarded "with merit" by the unit based on eye witness account, sheer action, determination and not from a product of a doctored table drawn, concocted, press releases! I beg off to receive an award after seeing names of awardees staying in the office when the enemy attacked a mining site as I led the recovery of our high official's vehicle, locate the advance security team who hurriedly abandoned the area and another vehicle left after it was hit by an enemy fire and landmine which was supposed to be (perhaps) mine being at the lead car! It took place in the NHW I could see below the Mainit lake in Surigao del Norte. Later on I was informed of the reason why I'm in the lead vehicle to be ahead of them. Armed with SW Cal .40 pistol, I consumed 2 magazines during the long stretch ambush area highway clearing and maneuver until we finally completed the tasks. That was a long time ago. Among my buddies I can recall were Sgt Montesa fm ADN (RIP) killed during the war on drugs and a Sgt from IG now a diabetic pt, others I forgot. I will soon gradually post few notes of my service experiences on my escape from an almost death! So others may know my side of the story. .

13/09/2026

This is my side of the story: In Brgy Calaitan, Bayugan, ADS. I was a JO of RMF/R2, R13, 1997+. Under then PCol "Musang" Dangane, Maj Santos+ and PLt Frank Dungo+, PLt Froi Navarroza, I don't want to mention them all, I forgot the others. We were to serve a WA for one notorious MWP Mr "D". At 0400, year (1997-80) we were in that mountainous area. Low crawl, slow tapping distance movement, L formation, I was in the leading tm approaching the hut (small house) of the target. AA 0530, after about 3 hrs of walking we arrived at the area. After a little rest, we crawl near, until I was about 5m from the door of his hut. Pointing my M14 at the entrance, it suddenly opened and a silhouette of an almost naked big man jump out from that door and ran away. My r***e pointed at him but I'm unsure if it was really him named in the WA. It was still dark. As he jumped out, I raised the r***e just away from his body and I pulled the trigger twice hoping it would stop him. It exploded but I did not hit his body. It immediately alarmed the other team who was positioned at the back. Wasting no time, I made a quick decision to chase him. I did not command my team to follow and I ran to his direction. Just after a few steps, I heard "bag, bag, bag" bullets seem inches from my body, I can hear and feel the "weiing" sound of the bullets crossing my path, it shaken my uniform, I can feel the sound near my head and body and made a stopped.I tried not to move a little anymore, I freeze! The fugitive successfully escaped. I heard LtC Santos (RIP) shouted "Cease Fire" Cease Fire! God spared me again. I was not hit luckily when I crossed the "line of fire" but we lost him. Had I commanded my team to follow me, we would have lost lives crossing the line of fire from the other team who responded with shots. He was still arrested in the follow up operations. It pays to pray every time you put you life on the line!

13/09/2026

Part 2. Death blinks!
Before reaching down to where the ambush was staged, a Bachelor bus arrived, it was stopped, they all loaded inside about 20 of them, one bloodied from the hit it got. Blood in the concrete pavement speaks it's a serious hit. They withdrew! We reached back to where it happened. Minutes later, the Trento , PNP Patrol car arrived. It seems to be pursuing the withdrawing enemy. It stopped in our location, the COP knew me and we boarded in the PC. I was in front, Sgt Amay at the back. There were just four 4 of us. It was driven by the COP Maj Yu and 1 PNCO. They were former PC soldiers. While we were pursuing the bus, I requested Maj Yu that I get his M16 and magazines since he drove the Patrol Car. He said ok! So I got his FAs while the car was running. Before reaching Brgy Pulang Lupa of Trento, he showed the gauge of the car that it's almost empty. So how could we get there? We need to return to the town of Trento to refill the gas. We stopped the hot pursuit there. That years, logistics have been too scarce everywhere, perhaps all units. But we did what we can do to the best of our ability. BTW, the victims of their ambush was an HPG PMSgt and a civ personnel. Furtunately they were able to at least prepare. During the ambush they also hit back one of their attackers. They were informed beforehand that they were targets for liquidation. The reason perhaps why the enemy was not so much focused on killing us because our MC can not afford them escape or withdrawal, they need more than that and they missed another good target. Their sheer number needed a quick and effective escape. It was timely that a Bachelor bus passed by and arrived. Today Sgt or P/MSgt Amay M is in Davao region still active, still my buddy and good friend. We shared this story. Others mentioned may have already retired from service like me. When I recalled back that hair raising experience, I only have one thing in mind. God has again protected us from the sure claws of death! Maybe, we were just lucky too or my father's unseen spirit may have helped us go through that day, his death anniversary! Before we reached back our HQs, they told us that we were expected to be dead at the PPO. They suspected that we were the ones ambushed!

13/09/2026

My side of the story: "Death blinks", we cheated it again! Jan 13/14, 1995-97. Death anniversary of Papa Tertuliano Plaza (RIP). I was the CO of a Coy, RMF, Bunawan Brook, Bun, ADS. I was preparing to visit my father's grave in Sta Josefa, ADS. Unfortunately our old and rustic vehicle was for repair. Funds were too low those times. Instead Sgt Amay M borrowed a single MC (murag XRM) from his friends and we'll use it to go to visit the grave. Just two of us. About 100m before we approached Cuevas- SJ intersection (no rotunda yet), We heard burst of automatic and sporadic fire less than a hundred rounds I guess. We can no longer apply our brakes and turn around to speed away. All of a sudden armed young men MOL 10-15 of them appeared in view in the hiway. All with r***es. They were to block our way. About 4-5 of them who stepped on the cemented portion pointed their r***es at us and shouted us "hunong", hunong (stop, stop)! From 10m away to 5m to 3m that is how closed we got to them. I can see the black cold holes in the barrel of their guns. My heart pounding heavily! I could hardly breathe normally. Inside as if I'm trembling but I tried to be composed. We can not draw our pistols. Mine at my back! If I jumped from the MC and rolled to the side drainage of the highway, their bullets can get me faster. If I draw my gun from the back, the same, pulling their trigger was faster than what I thought at less than 5 meter distance. But very slowly we still continue moving in our MC. One time, Amay whispered to me, as we both clearly witnessed them getting closer to us each second. Sir kinsa na? I knew for sure he exactly knew who they were. By asking me, he might hear a "saving" answer and relieve the discomfort. I whispered back, my mouth close to his ear, "sa taas" sa taas tapping also the right side of his hips where my right hand was. I slowly look at the enemy as if I did not hear their command and I slowly answered back just like a whisper almost casually, hhaaa? And hhhaa? (again) each time they order us to stop. I bent more to my back so that they can not notice my pistol there. We did not stop. Just the drama of as if not hearing their calls to stop, not once but several times! When we were about ten meters away I heard from the upper side of the road a typical "tick" I thought perhaps those positioned up there checked or had pulled the trigger. Those in the highway did not pull their trigger for reasons I don't know. In my mind, thanks God! Thanks God. Gradually we reached the higher point from the killing zone. I told Sgt Amay to pull off to the side of the road our MC. Here we can now draw and have drawn our pistols as we went back down tactically but under cover with trees at the side of the road. We never thought of leaving the area or we'll lose our job! (To be continued).

13/09/2026

My side of the story:
Left our r***es in the car, dressed in civilian attire, walked for more than a km, with thousands of people joining the annual pilgrimage of RC in Brgy Anticala, it was an uphill walk for the 12 stations of the cross in Butuan City on March/April. I made a promise to attend "PANAXX" until able! It was that celebration that I wanted to climb the stations of the cross late. Usually we started at 0400H Yearly! But during COVID time, for two years, I missed or everyone did missed it. We were about to reach the 1st station at OOA 0530 when sporadic gun fire from just above us caught us surprised. It was not the 1st PANAXX, it was 6th or 7th or so. A loud, sustained, alternating automatic fire engulfed the early morning. It was not quick, it was almost steady. With me were PI Gults, Sgt @ Nino, Sgt Pionxx, others. Hundreds of civilians around us including policemen seeking cover, some into rocks, some into cars, some even in the police patrol cars. Wearing the Pulis t'shirt uniform, I can not afford to see ourselves just waiting or among those seeking cover with the people while long, sporadic automatic shots were still ongoing. I am ashamed in Pulis shirt to be seen by people doing nothing like the civilians did in the face of danger. So I decided to proceed at "cross country" uphill to the mountainous area where the exchange of fire took place not necessarilly to risk my life but to let others know that we in PNP are not supposed to act like ordinary citizens or like picking ducks, instead be noticed with strength, composure and stability. We hurriedly took our r***es from the car and maneuver into the hills. On reaching the higher grounds, we saw some policemen taking cover under the trees. We tried to know what happened and what the shooting is all about. Gradually we learned. Some political leaders and Police officers including our VW CDir, were stranded in the other stations of the cross because of what was still happening for hours! On that moment They stablished and strengthened their security and defensive positions. Our RD kept in calling me for an update. I can only give some info. I was the C,PCR then. RD instead ordered me to report to PRO. We were about to return as ordered when the rock less than a meter from us exploded it cracked! We were fired upon! Two of my companions quickly dropped beside the trees and returned fire just a few shots. I did not see who shot us there were just several directions of fire but I'm very sure it was a bullet from r***e that hit hard and cut the rock. I did not fire back. Old and aging I can only move away slowly. I was asked by that "higher ranked officer" if I recovered the slug that almost hit us? I said not. Why? My answer was, I need to be out of sight, I expected follow up shots and it may hit me or my buddy eventually. I always believed the shot was for us. Maybe the shooter was not just lucky that time. Two para military personnel lay dead that day. We saw military trucks and soldiers massing uphill. Civilians going downhill with those leaders and officers stranded. Lot of things happened that day of celebration, plenty of discussions and investigation. Sorry, I can not detail it here. A day after, my RD, some troops and I returned to the place of the fatal incident to see it for himself. I was further instructed to hand over to the two fallen families our RDs heartfelt condolences and financial assistance. This is my side of the story.

13/09/2026

My side of the story:
SIMBA!!!! On the 30th day of our TM, we thought we will graduate. We will be flown back to NE. It was Nov 1994. Suddenly our SFOB announced 2 teams prepare, a new target to be cleared! Body too tired for a month maneuver almost without rest! I voluntered with another team. Being more senior in rank (3 yrs PInsp) I was made the Section/Tm leader. The area, Muns of Siraway, Panganuran, Siocon, others I forgot all of Zambo. We actually were just pulled out from Basilan Province. We moved during the night under cover of darkness and in our OA stablished two OPs for days about MOL 2 weeks. Our contact thru radios expertly stablished by our snappy Commo specialists. After our water exchausted, 1 team went down to fetch in the river. As they are about to leave, they noticed a boat coming loaded with armed men. Immediately they stablished an ambush position along the trail. The armed men alighted but unnoticed the team. When they came close, our team showed up ready and demanded them to bring down their weapons and surrender. Shocked or just too brave enought, they decided to fight it out against the team with the advantaged of position. Firefight took place in minutes and eventually two of the enemies lay in pool of blood and dead! 2 body counts, 2 FAs, clips and ammos recovered. Previous to that day, in another places, we have recovered important materials conducted in some small raids! While in Basilan province, we conduct (LE ) ops as I understood it with PNP SAF (my unit then) or with the local PNP perhaps in support mode. Sometimes, culmination of our mission was made in the most unexpected times. All men in our team got medals they most deserved, I got 3M with spearhead device too. During graduation, our section and the whole class 80 itself were all happy and in high spirits that we reached the stage of wearing our beret with a thrilling (life and death) story to tell! Thanks to the men, officers, our evaluator, SSgt ( among those in the Negros defining and unsurpassed story of Courage and Determination of their unit) and everyone who made the journey to wear that "GB" proud as it were truly imbued with its true meaning! I witheld other descriptions of the incident, trying to depict it truthfully without exaggeration and not self serving. Some of it were no longer appropriate to be known by all people who can read it. Then we were flown back to FM, NE for graduation Nov 1994.

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