A 24-year-old hero was born in the early hours of the Marawi City siege for an act of valor that chose death over being rescued from behind the enemy lines.

Private First Class Dhan Ryan Bayot of the 51st Infantry Battalion, was one of nine soldiers stationed at a detachment in Barangay Lilod, Marawi City, on May 24, the second day of the siege.

Bayot’s team was dispatched there to provide additional security in the area, his story related in the “Sa Ngalan Ng Gobyerno” Facebook page, said.

Moments later, the group was attacked by gunfire coming from the mayor’s house, which had by then been taken over by the terrorist forces. Five of Bayot’s companions were killed, three others tried to flee but one was killed and two were wounded in the attempt.

Now alone and surrounded by the enemy, Bayot radioed his commanding officer for reinforcement but none came. A few hours later, the answer came – reinforcements had attempted twice to get there but the only passage to him was blocked by enemy forces, the Facebook post related.

Knowing that he was indeed in the middle of enemy lines and that death was imminent, Bayot radioed his coordinates. And he gave an unusual request to his commanding officer: “Bombahin na lang ninyo ang location ko, sir!” (Just bomb my location, sir!).

The friendly fire did not come as Bayot had hoped because government troops were sent to rescue him.

“Ang sabi sa amin hindi natuloy ang pagbomba dahil sinikap silang ma-rescue at ma-reinforce (The bombing did not took place because they still tried rescuing them),” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla told this reporter yesterday when he was asked about this story.

Padilla praised the dedication shown by Bayot which shall serve as an inspiration to other soldiers fighting the Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City.

It took four units from various battalions of the Philippine Army to retrieve the bodies of Bayot and his six comrades because of the difficult terrain, according to Bayot’s father, Sgt. Larry Bayot of the Division Reconnaissance Company of the 1st Infantry Division, the Facebook post said.

It was learned that his father saw no bullet wounds on his son’s body that might have caused his death. Instead, he saw his son’s face heavily deformed and a deep bolo cut around his neck.

Sgt. Bayot theorized that after his son ran out of bullets, the terrorists likely took turns bashing his face before slashing his neck in an attempt to behead him.

Gen. Padilla, who confirmed the story brought to his attention by this reporter, said: “The dedication to duty, courage, gallantry and heroism of PFC Bayot is an exemplary act that serves as an inspiration to all of us. Not only for members of the Armed Forces itself but for each and every citizen who loves his/her country,” Padilla said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Francis T. Wakefield

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